Hamilton contract delay rumours are ‘pure fiction’

Mark Scott
Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

Mercedes make it impossible to confirm Lewis Hamilton's talent says Carlos Sainz.

Mercedes have labelled the latest rumours concerning Sir Lewis Hamilton’s contract negotiations as “pure fiction”, with a new deal still yet to be announced.

The Silver Arrows and Hamilton have had on/off talks throughout 2020, but his latest contract expired on December 31 without any confirmation that a new extension had been agreed between the two parties.

The continued delay has created yet another wave of rumours as to what the hold-up is, with the latest speculation emerging from Italy being that Mercedes are reluctant to agree to Hamilton’s salary demands. Hamilton also wants a share of team’s prize money and a free AMG One hypercar chucked in for good measure, if you want to believe what the rumour mill is saying.

But, while all remains quiet still with regards to an official announcement about Hamilton’s new deal, the latest rumours has triggered some response from Mercedes.

A spokesperson for the Silver Arrows said the reports were “pure fiction and that “there are no reasons to be concerned”.

The latest update from Hamilton, who recently turned 36, is that he was wanting to think about a greater work-life balance, while Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said news of a new contract may not even be announced until pre-season testing in March.

“I’m trying to find a balance. I like to live life day-by-day because you just never know when your days are up,” he told Autosport.com.

“And I’ve had people pass in my life who have said ‘I was planning to do this and that and I ran out of time’. This year, I’d say more so than ever, there’s been a huge focus on the present.

“However, yeah, I generally like to be forward-thinking – I’m so excited about what the future holds. But also, as I get older, I’m aware things take so much time to put in place.

“So if there’s something I want to do, some things could take five to 10 years, maybe even more – I need to make sure I’m trying to strategically put the foundations in place now. But at the same time, [I’m] being present.

“I love my job, I love racing. [Even during] this difficult time, communicating with engineers and really trying to pick up on the nuances of what makes my sport and the technology we work with move.

“Everyone’s on high alert with this whole COVID [thing] – the whole working environment has shifted. But at the core of it is racing, which we all love. And I’m so grateful I get to do that.”

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