© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Former McLaren Mercedes driver David Coulthard says Lewis Hamilton’s contract negotiations are not just about his “driving services”, it goes “way beyond him driving at a Grand Prix”.
Lewis Hamilton is yet to sign a new contract with Mercedes, which would extend his tenure with the team beyond 2023.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff already said the issues being discusses are not money or the length of the deal, but “other topics”.
Former F1 driver, who had driven for the Mercedes powered McLaren team from 1997 until 2004, believes he knows what those topics are.
“For me, it’s just a case of when they get it done,” Coulthard said.
“I’m not aware that Lewis is having a change of heart about whether he wants to go racing or not. And I don’t think Mercedes are having second doubts.
“Mercedes will want a certain amount of time from Lewis for their partners. They will have sold sponsorship on obtaining access to their drivers.
“Some businesses will have signed up with the Silver Arrows because Lewis is there, rather than George Russell.
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“What Lewis will be signing up for goes way beyond him driving at a Grand Prix. It’s about what rights he retains in terms of his image, and what rights he sells to the team.
“Mercedes are buying more than just Lewis and his driving services. They are buying his promotional image and his PR image.”
Coulthard added he doesn’t believe there’s a chance that Hamilton will leave mercedes.
“I don’t think there’s any realistic chance that Lewis will leave Mercedes unless there is a major fallout. And I can’t see that happening.
“Who would the major fallout be with? Even if it was with Toto, Lewis’ relationship with Mercedes’ parent company Daimler is much longer than Toto’s emergence as team principal of Mercedes.”
Coulthard also said Lewis will want to have a car capable of competing for the championship if he is to hang around F1 for a few more years.
“I’m sure there are quotes from drivers when they were younger, who said they could not see themselves racing into their late thirties and beyond.
“I am sure Lewis will have said something similar. But he’ll look at Fernando Alonso, and think ‘if Fernando, who is 42 this month, is still competitive, then why not me?’
“However, the only reason for Hamilton to hang around is to try and win races and compete for championships. Scoring points will not change his life.
“He needs to see what Mercedes can show him that gives him the confidence he will be competitive next year, rather than having to stay around for another three seasons.”
The Scot added it’s not easy for a driver to leave F1 behind.
“Lewis has had an incredible journey in life, with his achievements on the track, and his exposure off it.
“He has got a very healthy view of how it is being Lewis Hamilton – the Formula 1 driver that goes from country to country – and Lewis Hamilton – the individual, the personality, the celebrity.
“But none of those personality-driven events he goes to will ever give him the adrenaline buzz he gets from racing a Formula 1 car.
“Very few things in life will ever give him that feeling so when the time does arrive for him to retire, he has to be certain he is ready to stop,” Coulthard concluded.
