“Hamilton is overestimating his market value”- Former Formula 1 team principal

“Hamilton is overestimating his market value”- Jan Lammers considers that Lewis Hamilton is underestimating world situation right now.

Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension talks appear to move forward, but still, nothing can be counted to be concrete until the bosses itself do not confirm it.

Though Mercedes seems to compromise on Hamilton’s few demands, he will not stick with the team for long that has been signalled by the Brackley-based team already, adding on to it, Jan Lammers feels that Hamilton is overvaluing himself amidst the current global situation.

“It could be that Hamilton is overestimating his market value and underestimating the situation in the world,” Lammers said in an interview with RacingNews365.

“Meanwhile, I think Mercedes are limited in what they can offer Hamilton morally. How can you justify it to the staff and the management that he continues to receive his multi-million salary while people elsewhere in the company have to lay off people?”

“With these kinds of things, you have to be careful not to go too far. What Hamilton does not seem to realise fully is that there is, of course, a great opportunity for Mercedes as well.”

“The company wants to sell cars, and then the question is ‘what do you get more from? Is that with the next world title?’ That would be great, of course, but many people don’t care about that. Or would a statement against Hamilton’s multi-million dollar salary do more for loyalty?”

Mercedes can send a strong message.

Lammers feel that Mercedes driving a hard bargain against Hamilton will probably be sending a strong message to the industrial group that the brand is loyal to its staff than a race driver.

“I personally think Mercedes have the chance to make a compelling statement by stating that the loyalty lies with the Mercedes customers and employees and not with one sportsman,” added the Dutchman. “I think that has been a little under-exposed.”

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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