Hamilton explains decision to only sign one-year Mercedes F1 extension
Lewis Hamilton has explained his decision to only sign a one-year Formula 1 contract extension with Mercedes for 2021, saying there was no need to plan too far ahead
Mercedes announced in February that seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton had put pen to paper on a new contract with the team, keeping him on the grid for the 2021 season.
It put an end to speculation about Hamilton's immediate future, but led to questions about what would happen beyond the end of 2021 as both parties had traditionally sought multi-year agreements.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explained after the announcement that the late signing - delayed after both he and Hamilton contracted COVID-19 in recent months - meant a one-year deal would give more time to strike a longer-term deal in the future.
PLUS: How Hamilton's one-year deal opens up the 2022 driver market
Hamilton spoke for the first time about the decision to sign a one-year deal in the presentation of Mercedes' new car, the W12, for the 2021 season.
The Briton explained that his achievements - including becoming F1's all-time wins record holder last year, as well as matching Michael Schumacher's tally of seven world titles - meant he felt no need to think too far ahead.
"Firstly, I'm kind of in a fortunate position where I've achieved most of the stuff that I've wanted to achieve up to this point," Hamilton said.
"So there's no real need necessarily to plan too far ahead in the future.
"I think we live in quite an unusual period of time in life, and I just wanted one year.
"Then we can talk about if we do more, and keep adding it if we have to."
Hamilton was a leading voice for F1 last year in improving diversity throughout motorsport, announcing plans to establish a new commission to support the cause.
In the contract announcement, Mercedes revealed it would be jointly setting up a charity with Hamilton with "the mission of supporting greater diversity and inclusion in all its forms in motorsport".
Asked about his main priorities heading into the 2021 season, Hamilton said his off-track work for improving equality and diversity was now a crucial focus point.
"The main priority for 2021 - in the past it was just about winning championships," Hamilton said.
"Last year there was a lot of discussion about equality and inclusion, and I think there was a lot of talk. This year is all about pushing for diversity, and really making sure that action is taken.
"That is at the core of the drive for me, but of course we exist to win, and that is what all these guys and girls here and working towards, so that is my goal, to deliver that for them."
De Vries joins Vandoorne in Mercedes F1 reserve driver role
Mercedes confesses to hiding new W12 F1 car floor from rivals
IndyCar's next-gen engines will now be 2.2-litre motors instead of 2.4
The next-gen IndyCar engine formula, set for introduction in 2024, will now couple hybrid units with 2.2-litre engines rather than increasing capacity to 2.4l.
Maserati unveils livery for its debut Formula E campaign
The Maserati MSG squad has unveiled the livery of its Tipo Folgore car it will race for the first time in Formula E next season.
FIA: "No doubt" floor changes for 2023 were right thing to do
The FIA believes there is “no doubt” it did the right thing by changing Formula 1’s floor rules for 2023 to combat porpoising.
F1 world champion Villeneuve in frame for Vanwall WEC seat
Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve is in the running for a seat with the Vanwall Le Mans Hypercar squad in next year’s World Endurance Championship.
How Tyrrell’s post-Stewart era descended into a fight to survive
Glory days for Tyrrell became increasingly infrequent after Jackie Stewart’s retirement. But in the latest instalment of his history of the team for Autosport's sister title GP Racing, MAURICE HAMILTON recalls how Ken Tyrrell’s plucky and defiantly small team stayed bold enough to innovate – springing a surprise with F1’s first six-wheeled car
The forgettable final car of a former F1 giant that gave Damon Hill his start
While it launched the F1 career of a future world champion, STUART CODLING recalls that the BT60 was also the final nail in the coffin of a once-great marque 30 years ago. Here is its story
How departing F1 boss Brawn views F1’s new rules - and the future
Multiple-title-winning designer and team boss Ross Brawn is finally leaving Formula 1 after nearly 50 years in motorsport. But he still has plenty of insights on what’s working and what comes next, as he revealed to Autosport in a far-reaching exclusive interview in Abu Dhabi
The key F1 management call Ferrari must make to avoid more defeat
OPINION: Mattia Binotto’s departure from Ferrari will naturally bring a range of changes across the Formula 1 team. But how the changes shape up and the impact they could have is set to be dictated by a key direction Ferrari’s top dogs will need to pick
The difference between Mercedes’ stumble and the fall of F1 giants
OPINION: Mercedes endured its worst season of the hybrid Formula 1 era, but was mercifully spared its first winless campaign in over a decade late on. It has owned up to the mistakes it made which led to its troubled W13. And while its task to return to title-challenging contention is not small, its 2022 season seems more like a blip than the beginning of a downward spiral.
The physical focus bringing out the best of an F1 midfield star
Esteban Ocon likes to point out he’s the first driver since Lewis Hamilton to emerge from a spell as Fernando Alonso’s team-mate with a superior overall points record. While some may disagree, as LUKE SMITH discovered, the 2021 Hungarian GP winner reckons it’s not just luck which has made him France’s pre-eminent Formula 1 driver of the moment…
How Red Bull's dynamic leader shaped its F1 philosophy
The death of Dietrich Mateschitz last month has not only deprived Red Bull of its visionary founder, it has shorn Formula 1 of one of its most influential benefactors. Mateschitz himself was famously media-shy, preferring to let the brand do the talking on his behalf. And, while it’s now normal to speak of Red Bull F1 titles and champions made, Mateschitz never assumed it would be easy or even possible – as ANTHONY ROWLINSON discovered during this previously unpublished interview from 2006…
Can Mercedes break Formula 1's cycle of doom?
OPINION: Teams that have dominated for long periods throughout Formula 1's history often take years to get back to the top of the tree once they've slipped down. But it remains to be seen whether the same will happen to Mercedes after a challenging 2022 season