Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1, Mercedes
Marcus Chan
Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 has been thrown into uncertainty with Mercedes reportedly unwilling to meet his demands.
It has been another tough season for Hamilton and Mercedes as they continue to struggle under F1’s new regulations.
Their decade-long domination has been ripped away by Red Bull and Max Verstappen, with no one getting anywhere close to challenging the clear favourite.
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As the 2023 season continues, the future of Hamilton has been put into major doubt as his contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign.
Over the last few weeks, it was reported that talks are ongoing between the 38-year-old and the Brackley-based team.
However, negotiations have reportedly hit a major stumbling block.
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According to the Daily Mail, Mercedes are looking to offer the seven-time world champion a one-year extension with an option for a second.
But Hamilton would like to sign a long-term contract.
In addition, it is believed that Hamilton wants a 10-year ambassador role with Mercedes worth £20 million a year.
The Daily Mail claims that Mercedes officials are not willing to agree to those demands.
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However, it is believed that both parties want to continue the working relationship but Hamilton is now under pressure to lower his demands.
SPORTbible has contacted Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton’s representatives for comment.
Back in March, Hamilton spoke about his contract situation.
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He told Sky Sports: “We are in talks, just in the process of going through the motions of what that looks like, what the future looks like, what we want to do.
“[We are] Always looking to continuously challenge ourselves rather than just doing a driver's contract like everyone does.”
Hamilton added: “What can we do? We did the Ignite partnership last year on how we can promote diversity within the sport, just exploring different avenues and what else we can do. I'm fully integrated within Mercedes-Benz.”
Hamilton will be back in action with Mercedes this weekend for the Austrian Grand Prix.