2021: Hamilton is not in a hurry to extend

Hamilton confirmed during a press conference that he had recently spoken informally with Daimler’s management during the Laureus Awards – where he jointly received the Sportsman of the Year trophy with footballer Lionel Messi – but did not see any urgency to meet with his team principal Toto Wolff.

« To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it. », he said.

Furthermore, Toto Wolff preferred to let his driver rest during the winter break, knowing that the Briton’s schedule remains busy throughout the season.

« I think we have the same goals, in a few months, I am sure we will sit down and discuss it » added Hamilton.

Indeed, the driver and the team believe that preparations for the new season should be prioritized before entering into negotiations.

« I know that Toto is keen to do it, but right now, the goal is obviously to try to ensure that we prepare perfectly for the current season. It’s coming up and we need to get off on the right foot. That [note: the extension] is not something that concerns me during this period. »

Hamilton emphasized that his relationship with the team was based on mutual trust, with both parties regularly updating each other.

The driver considers himself lucky to have so much freedom in a team like Mercedes. The team allows me to be who I am, it doesn’t restrict my clothing choices, my way of communicating, and doesn’t ask me to behave in a certain way. I think these are things we often see elsewhere, so it’s a good thing for me.

« Everyone has seen the results I’ve achieved in recent years », he adds.

Continue to show that it encourages me remains a motivation for me, it helps me progress and become a better driver. To go further into detail, I try to understand what my plan will be over the next five to ten years and how the decisions made today will influence my future. This allows me to put things in place so that when I hang up my helmet, I can move on to something else.

It is true that the respect between the driver and the German team is immense, which certainly helps when negotiating with one of the greatest drivers in history.

« We don’t seem to have any problems. We share the same values, our goals are the same, the respect is immense. » concluded the Briton.