Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
The contract situation saga concerning Lewis Hamilton has shown no signs of ending so far. Fans await the news of the same, but it sounds like an official resolution is far from complete at the moment.
However, media reports and speculation always offer something interesting in such situations. The news and rumors supplied by some important F1 entities add to the mystery and suspense.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Now, 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill has taken to Twitter to share a rumor about Hamilton’s contract situation. But more so, the reactions to the post are varied in nature and frankly, quite intriguing too!
The reactions to Hill’s tweet saw users take sides to offer their opinions
Hill’s post read, “Rumour is Lewis is on verge of signing a 2 year deal with @MercedesAMGF1 with a veto on his team mate. I’d do the same. Actually, I wouldn’t have a team mate at all! #f1”
Rumour is Lewis is on verge of signing a 2 year deal with @MercedesAMGF1 with a veto on his team mate. I'd do the same. Actually, I wouldn't have a team mate at all! #f1
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) February 3, 2021
If that is true then I have lost a lot of respect for him. Putting the career of someone you are scared of racing against in the same car on hold doesn't sound like the "best of all time" to me. Shame on the lot of them if this is the case. Booooo
— Tracy Hill (@TracyHill72) February 3, 2021
It’s because he wants to retain Bottas as his team mate. Not only are they good friends, they both are technically minded and support each other’s out crews giving them an advantage over other teams. Bottas is stable and challenges Lewis, he doesn’t want a kid taking him out!
— Der Oberst (@TheRealDemonLee) February 3, 2021
They're making a mistake. They can save millions and millions over the two years and (arguably) get the exact same result if they put @GeorgeRussell63 in the car. Between Russel and Bottas, they'd get the job done.
— Larusso (@larusso77) February 3, 2021
What a disappointment! Lewis Hamilton, 7 time world champion, afraid of George Russell!
— Marco (@Mad24787) February 3, 2021
I’ve been saying for weeks I reckon he wants to pick his own teammate.I really don’t think he wants George next year.
— D⚡️ (@MrsLonelyTown) February 3, 2021
Lewis asked Toto to give Russell the Sakhir drive when he caught the virus.
Why would he all of a sudden want these protections against any driver? The disrespect to Lewis and all he's achieved is shameful
— Koyn Way (@Koynway) February 3, 2021
Be very surprised if the veto is true. George is very talented but Hamilton has taken on Alonso, Button and Rosberg as teammates and in 2017 Bottas was highly rated. Why would he worry about George? The talks have purely been about length of commitment as far as anyone can tell.
— Owen Riddle (@OwenRiddle9) February 3, 2021
Among the different reactions, some believe that there is no truth to the apparent demand, and hence, the rumor does not make any sense. Others, meanwhile, feel that Hamilton sees emerging George Russell as a threat, should the latter make the move to Mercedes.
Regardless of all the comments, the fact of the matter is that it is all mere speculation as of now. Thus far, the reported differences between Hamilton and Mercedes have been majorly about the salary package and the length of the contract.
Could Mercedes actually consider replacing Lewis Hamilton with Russell?
So far at least, Mercedes have held their ground in terms of the wage package they are prepared to offer to Hamilton. One of the big reasons the top management might be doing that is because of Russell’s progress in F1, which makes them believe a superstar is in the reckoning.
Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 22: ART Grand Prix Formula 2 driver George Russell of Great Britain and Williams F1 and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP talk in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Then again, this is Lewis Hamilton that we are talking about – a seven-time F1 champion with an abundance of race wins to his name. Even by replacing him with Russell, there is no guarantee the 22-year-old will start winning races and titles from the word go.
Therefore, Mercedes have to cautiously proceed with their decision making by weighing up all the options available to them. But either way, there is a sense that concrete developments in this situation are now fast approaching.
MORE – Lewis Hamilton: 24 Year Old Video Shows His Godly Skills in Karting
