“Are you serious?” – Max Verstappen’s winning run this season compelled Lewis Hamilton to sign a two-year contract, as he chases the world record of eight F1 titles.
Tom Clarkson, senior reporter with Formula 1, feels Lewis Hamilton signed a multi-year contract after being resigned of the fact that Max Verstappen looks set to win the title this season. Hamilton is chasing his eighth title, which will help him surpass the record he shares with Michael Schumacher.
“I thought [Hamilton] was pretty deflated after the race [in Austria]. You know what? I think one of the reasons he’s re-signed for two years is he can see the writing on the wall for this season.
“I think, somewhere in the back of his head, he thinks: ‘This is over, I need number eight’.”
Natalie Pinkham, co-hosting the F1 Nation Podcast with Clarkson, was surprised by the latter’s assessment. She did however add that Hamilton is very determined to win the record world title.
“Are you serious? I do know what you mean, in that he’s giving himself another chance of securing that eighth title. He went on record as saying he was enjoying this fight so much, it invigorated him and he wants more of the same.”
Damon Hill on Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes
Former champion Damon Hill went on to add that Hamilton quit after this season, Mercedes could have signed pretty much anyone from the grid. Realistically, George Russell would have come in to partner with the incumbent Valtteri Bottas.
“They want to keep Lewis. If they lost Lewis, though, they’ve got the pick of the bunch. They’ve still got a great car, but they’ve got a new regulation change, so who knows what’s going to happen next year?”
