“What does Lewis Hamilton have to lose?”- Ex-F1 driver explains why Max Verstappen arrival at Mercedes wouldn’t bother Hamilton

“What does Lewis Hamilton have to lose?”- Ex-F1 driver Christijan Albers explains that Max Verstappen entry in Red Bull wouldn’t mean anything.

There have been multiple rumours about Max Verstappen’s entry to Mercedes veto clause could be the reason behind the delay in Lewis Hamilton’s contract confirmation.

Though Toto Wolff immediately after Hamilton’s contract announcement rejected those claims. Resonating on Wolff’s words, Albers think that Hamilton wouldn’t care Verstappen’s entry first of all.

“That clause that Max Verstappen cannot drive there, drivers used to have that in their contracts. I don’t think Lewis Hamilton is really going to make an issue of that,” he is quoted as saying by GP blog.

“And if I were Lewis Hamilton, I would have taken the gamble next year if Max Verstappen can drive in the team,” he added. Though a few weeks ago, George Russell was seen as the immediate replacement of Hamilton if the talks failed, recently Verstappen has gained prominence in this prediction.

What Lewis Hamilton have to lose?

Hamilton is the most decorated driver of Formula 1 at least statistically, and this year would probably seal another title. So, Albers think what harm would Verstappen do after achieving so much.

“What does Lewis Hamilton have to lose? He can take the pressure off within ten seconds by saying, ‘Listen, I’m not on the edge where I was, I don’t have the talent anymore when I was 30 because now I’m 37, 38. Max, bring it on,” he said.

“He has nothing to lose because if he wins against Max, then he is the greatest of greats and if he loses, then he has had his era.” The one-year deal signal that Hamilton may leave Mercedes in 2022.

However, Wolff’s recent interviews have suggested that the parties never had the time to consider 2022’s realities, so it has been delayed for a while, and the Briton might remain in Mercedes.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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