©Sebastian Kawka for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
Lewis Hamilton says he doesn’t think there’ll be “a lot of movement” between top teams in 2021. He also comments on Max Verstappen’s “weakness”.
Lewis Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes will expire at the end of 2020, so naturally there are a lot of rumors about what the future holds for the six-time champion. Hamilton now says people should “get used” to current driver lineups.
“In the top teams there isn’t going to be a lot of movement, most likely,” Hamilton said.
“In the ones cascading down I’m not too sure what everyone’s contracts are – but I don’t think there’s going to be a huge amount of movement.
“I think just get used to what’s similar at the moment. I don’t know what Seb [Vettel]’s plan is for the future, but…”
However there are still contract negotiations with Mercedes to get through.
“It’s always an exciting moment. It’s a real privilege to be wanted to stay and be part of a great team.
“That’s a great feeling. I hope I can continue to contribute.”
Hamilton has been known to want a certain amount of freedom to pursue other interests outside of Formula 1, a fact that possibly wouldn’t sit well with some other teams. The Briton was asked if he would enjoy the same freedoms he has at Mercedes if he were to switch to another team.
“I would. Because that’s what I’d demand!
“It’s not about freedom, it’s about being able to be yourself. People say, ‘you wouldn’t be able to get the freedom here and there’, but I wouldn’t go anywhere where I would be able to be myself.
“When I joined this team, Mercedes embraced that and Toto [Wolff] could see this is the way I am.
“We have the biggest sponsors, we’ve been winning the most championships and we’ve won the most races. I don’t think there’s a single bad thing about it.”
Talk turned to Max Verstappen’s recent comments about Hamilton. The young Red Bull driver said numerous times that a lot of drivers would be able to win the championship if they had the same machinery as Hamilton. He also said the Briton is ‘good, but not god’.
“Often I tend to see that [talk] as a sign of weakness,” said Hamilton.
“All the best to them. I wish them all the best and I look forward to the races with them.
“Generally I just do all my talking on the track… I don’t need to do all the talking they’re doing.”
Source: Sky Sports F1
