“How on earth does somebody know that?” – Former McLaren race engineer Marc Priestley believes Lewis Hamilton will race for Mercedes eventually this season, despite contract stalemate reports.
Former McLaren race engineer Marc Priestley was part of the team that helped Lewis Hamilton win his maiden F1 world title. He is naturally following Hamilton’s contract extension talks with Mercedes for 2021, and potentially beyond. And as per him, it is a classic case of much ado about nothing, and expects Hamilton to continue with the Germans.
“I don’t think it’s a panic situation yet with Mercedes or Lewis Hamilton. I still expect him to be in the car at the first race. But there are definitely some sticking points.”
“I’m not one of those people that doesn’t buy into internet rumors about someone claiming to know he wants an extra couple of zero’s at the end of his salary or he wants a free car.”
“How on earth does somebody know that? These are private negotiations. Unless somebody specifically leaked that, which I find very hard to believe at this point. So I fully expect that will come to a successful conclusion, but it’s definitely interesting that there are clearly some major sticking points they find hard to overcome.”
Toto Wolff signals contract talks with Lewis Hamilton are not smooth
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff recently spoke about the contract impasse, and how he is cool about it. He, like all Mercedes and Hamilton fans, expects a deal to be agreed soon. If not, then we will see George Russell make a sensational full debut for his dream team.
“It doesn’t worry me at all, because I will always respect Lewis’s decisions. Whether this is staying with us for a long time, or whether that means leaving the sport and pursuing different interests. I think we need to be ready for all kinds of curveballs being thrown at us.”
“But at the same time, we talk a lot, and we are very transparent with each other. I think there is more to achieve together.”
