“Hamilton didn’t get everything he wanted”- Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos claims that Lewis Hamilton would have demanded more.
Lewis Hamilton continuing with Mercedes in 2021, is now the news of the past. Despite Hamilton taking a handsome sum from the Brackley based team, the inside circle of Formula 1 believes that Hamilton got what he intended to achieve.
As claimed by former Minardi and Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos, Mercedes managed to negotiate with Hamilton rather than the demanded price made by the Briton.
As quoted by Motorsport.com, he said: “Both sides have had to compromise anyway. I think Mercedes ultimately held their ground and Hamilton didn’t get everything he wanted. I think Hamilton wanted to sign for a longer period of time and had to compromise on that point.”
2021 retirement is a possibility
Lewis Hamilton may end up his career in Formula 1 this year, as Doornbos claims, as he feels that eventually, he might lose motivation to compete further.
“I can’t look into Lewis’s head, no one can, but you have seven world titles, and number eight may be in sight,” said Doornbos. “And it seems as if he still enjoys it a lot. But on the other hand, last year we saw with Romain Grosjean that those guys are still playing with their lives.
“Moreover, he will probably also have other ambitions, such as Nico Rosberg had and made him decide to do something different suddenly,” he added.
Furthermore, he points out that another successful year by Max Verstappen could propel Mercedes to not ignore him anymore as Hamilton’s successor.
“Everything depends on the year that Max can have,” added Doornbos. “Mercedes realises that and Red Bull realises that. Max is not going to Ferrari, but Mercedes would, of course, be an attractive option.”
“Red Bull will have to pull out all the stops together with Honda to make sure that Verstappen wants to fulfil his contract.”
