“Now we can just focus”– Lewis Hamilton reveals ideology shift in Mercedes after new contract extension

“Now we can just focus”– Lewis Hamilton reveals how relaxing it would be for Mercedes and him, as they have signed a two-year extension.

Lewis Hamilton’s new contract extension with Mercedes would keep him till 2023, as Mercedes’ boss Toto Wolff aims to seal his 2022 lineup as quickly as possible.

But this extension with Mercedes happened quite differently compared to last year’s negotiation, as the Briton signed a contract late in 2020, attracting several rumours. Still, Hamilton revealed why there is a difference between the two deals.

“It was a lot smoother than it was in December and January,” said Hamilton. “I had a lot on over Christmas and New Year, it was a stressful period, and naturally we were doing it over Zoom, which is not always the most productive when you’re having these conversations.”

“This one was much easier. Toto [Wolff] and I spent a lot more time together face to face. The past contract was potentially going to be a two-year deal, and I asked for it to be one year because we’d been through a pandemic, and there was so much change in the world.

With the new deal already in place, Hamilton has revealed that Mercedes can strive to be the best team they can be, but would they be able to break the poor form they have picked this year?

“Also, I wasn’t sure whether I would continue or not. But I started off the year and had the best and most enjoyable start of the year, I’m enjoying the rollercoaster ride we’re having, and the best thing has been to get this done before the summer break.”

“So now we can just focus on being the best team we can be.”

A boost of confidence

With half the job done by Wolff ahead of 2022, Hamilton claimed that the deal completion so early was vital for the team’s confidence and the project they have designed together.

“It doesn’t change the pressure for me. I always bet on myself. When I do these deals, it’s not like ‘What if I don’t perform?’ I know I’m going to perform because I know how to do that and the work I need to do in order to be able to perform.”

As for Mercedes, Hamilton said: “Probably for the longevity of the team, for confidence, all those things, it’s important these things get done as quick as they can.”

“We had already said we wanted to continue together, we’ve got an amazing relationship, an amazing group of partners, it’s exciting to see what Mercedes is doing, the support they’ve given me during this period, turning our car back for the second year in a row, and really pushing for a more inclusive and diverse environment.

“It’s amazing the journey we’ve had and a new part of the journey we’ve started. For sure, several years ago, I could only have dreamed of being in this position, and I’m excited for what that can be.”

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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