Hamilton: Not the right time for Mercedes F1 contract talks
Lewis Hamilton says it "doesn't feel like the right time" to hold talks over a new Mercedes Formula 1 contract, but remains relaxed about his future with the team
Mercedes announced on Thursday that Valtteri Bottas would be remaining with the team for the 2021 season after a smooth completion of talks over a new contract.
Six-time world champion Hamilton is yet to finalise a new deal with Mercedes beyond the end of this season, but both parties are widely expected to agree terms for a new contract.
Hamilton said on Thursday at Silverstone that there were no updates to offer regarding his future, feeling it was not yet the right time to open talks with Mercedes given the current global climate following the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Honestly, it just doesn't feel like the right time to sit [down for talks]," Hamilton said.
"When you think about so many people in the world that have lost their jobs, and people that are unemployed, to sit and negotiate a big contract, it doesn't seem like the most important thing that I need to apply time to right this second.
"The fact is I do want to continue with the team, and it's not a big effort for us to sit down and get it done. Just right now, I don't feel comfortable with it, and so we'll wait a little bit longer."
Hamilton has been F1's leading voice amid the ongoing global activism against racial injustice, and has called on the sport's leaders to help improve diversity in the industry.
The Briton played a role in Mercedes' decision to switch to a black car livery for the 2020 season as part of its anti-racism messaging, while also committing to improve on the diversity within the team after revealing just 3% of its workforce identify as belonging to an ethnic minority.
PLUS: The provocative questions posed by Hamilton's anti-racism push
Hamilton said he was "not talking to anybody else" about a drive for 2021, and that he was relishing the chance to work with Mercedes on furthering diversity and inclusivity.
"I'm looking forward to continue on, particularly as we just started a new chapter as a team in terms of how we educate ourselves, how we understand what we're going to do to help be more diverse moving forward and be more inclusive," Hamilton said.
"I'm super excited with what's possible to do with Mercedes-Benz and this team moving forwards.
"At some stage, it will get done. I'm not stressed."
Norris explains misjudgement for "basic" Ricciardo overtake in F1 British GP
Hulkenberg to race at F1 70th Anniversary GP, Perez still COVID-19 positive
Vasseur "convinced" Ferrari has everything it needs to win F1 title
New Ferrari Formula 1 boss Fred Vasseur is “convinced” the team has everything it needs to win the championship, and that targeting anything less would be a “lack of ambition.”
Daytona 24: Porsche leads Acura in night practice
Matt Campbell put the #7 Penske Porsche on top in third practice for the Daytona 24 Hours, just 0.172s ahead of Filipe Albuquerque in the Wayne Taylor Racing Acura.
Daytona 24: Westbrook’s Ganassi Cadillac tops second practice
Richard Westbrook ensured Cadillac’s new V-LMDh snagged top spot in second practice for the Daytona 24 Hours, ahead of the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Andretti Autosport Acura.
Auer suffers back injury in Daytona 24 practice shunt
Mercedes driver Lucas Auer has suffered a back injury and been taken to hospital following a violent crash in opening practice for this weekend's Daytona 24 Hours.
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
What difference did F1's fastest pitstops of 2022 make?
While a quick pitstop can make all the difference to the outcome of a Formula 1 race, most team managers say consistency is more important than pure speed. MATT KEW analyses the fastest pitstops from last season to see which ones – if any – made a genuine impact
When F1 ‘holiday’ races kept drivers busy through the winter
Modern Formula 1 fans have grown accustomed to a lull in racing during winter in the northern hemisphere. But, as MAURICE HAMILTON explains, there was a time when teams headed south of the equator rather than bunkering down in the factory. And why not? There was fun to be had, money to be made and reputations to forge…
What Porsche social media frenzy says about F1’s manufacturer allure
Porsche whipped up a frenzy thanks to a cryptic social media post last week and, although it turned out to be a false alarm, it also highlighted why manufacturers remain such an important element in terms of the attraction that they bring to F1. It is little wonder that several other manufacturers are bidding for a slice of the action
Why the new Williams boss shouldn’t avoid ‘Mercedes B-team’ comparisons
OPINION: Williams has moved to replace the departed Jost Capito by appointing former Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles as its new team principal. But while he has sought to play down the idea of moulding his new squad into a vision of his old one, some overlap is only to be expected and perhaps shouldn't be shied away from
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.