Lewis Hamilton will agree on a new Mercedes contract to stay in Formula 1 into 2021 “once we get the job done” as he looks forward to winning this year’s world titles.
The runaway 2020 championship leader Lewis Hamilton is out of contact in a little over two months’ time at Mercedes as he keeps breaking grounds in the sport.
Both the team and the driver have long spoken of their expectation of agreeing on a new deal, but formal talks have been placed on hold citing the condensed nature of this season and the impact of the pandemic.
In an interview after winning Sunday’s Portuguese GP, Hamilton revealed a contract renewal was first floated to him in August 2019.
“Naturally I think already last year, in Hungary last year I think Toto [Wolff] was talking about signing a contract,” says Hamilton.
“Of course the pandemic wasn’t then and you look back and you’re like maybe I should have signed it then. But the thing is I just think things happen at the right time and I definitely wasn’t ready mentally at the time.
“I wanted to give myself the space mentally to really think about what I want to do, think if there are any adjustments for me and for the team, how can we get more out of each other - how can I give them an easier time.”
Hamilton believes he and the team are “still growing together” having enjoyed a large amount of success since joining Mercedes in 2013.
He adds: “I definitely don’t think it’s over. I want to continue. I think once we get the job done and the stress of the bubble and everything passes on, we can get to whatever comfortable or uncomfortable position we need to be in and we’ll get it done so we can continue.”
Hamilton, at the moment, is 77 points clear of the closest rival in the standings with five races to go in 2020, meaning the earliest he can wrap up a record-equalling seventh championship is the Turkish GP on 15 November.
