For the past few months, the only thing that’s remained constant in the Formula 1 paddock, apart from Max Verstappen adding win after win to his name, has been the uncertainty of Lewis Hamilton and his future at Mercedes and in F1 post-2023. It was just a while back that Hamilton revealed while talking about his contract, “There is no negotiation left. It is all just small bits.” Well, after Mercedes and Hamilton’s fans have been getting false hope since the negotiations started, it might be true this time. Hamilton is all set to steal Verstappen’s thunder in his home race.

As F1 headed into the summer break a fortnight ago, Mercedes drifted into the unknown with both its W14 and Hamilton’s trust in it. While we might not witness any improvements in the W14 before F1 return to Zandvoort, the Brackley outfit seems to have gotten at least one thing out of the way—Hamilton’s future. As per f1maximaal.nl, Corriere dello Sport reported, “Hamilton has indicated that he can continue in the premier class of motorsport for another five years. Mercedes was reportedly in favor of a one-year extension with the option of a further year.” [Translated by Google]

Few people doubted Hamilton’s devotion to Mercedes and F1. No one really believed he would leave the team that’s been his home for the past decade. The only thing that surprised everyone was the duration of the speculated contract. It’s no secret that Mercedes is looking to focus on younger talent like George Russell, which is why the five-year extension might have come with an escape clause. “Mercedes can hide behind the term multi-year contract, which often means that there are escape clauses in the contract.”

Read More: After Toto Wolff Rejected $25,000,000 Demand, Lewis Hamilton Ordered to “Forget the Emotions” for Mercedes to Win Again

The Dutch GP is Verstappen’s second home race of the season. Off the back of his 8th consecutive win at the Belgian GP, he’s on the cusp of equalling Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 record of winning 9 races in a row. Considering how well the RB19 and Verstappen pairing has performed this season, it’s almost inevitable he’ll equal that record. But with Hamilton’s contract announcement imminent, the seven-time champion is set to steal the Dutchman’s show. However, with how much uncertainty there was surrounding Mercedes’ performance, how did the Brackley outfit convince Hamilton?

The Hungarian GP weekend might’ve helped Lewis Hamilton to stick around

After the 2021 season, Mercedes hasn’t seen the good times it’s usually used to. Following a disappointing 2022 season, the Brackley squad hoped to return to winning ways this season. That hasn’t worked out so far, and Hamilton’s dream of winning an eighth championship seems to be slipping away further and further. According to his former teammate Nico Rosberg, though, his performance in Hungary might’ve helped.

The Hungaroring is one of Hamilton’s favorite circuits. He knows it better than most on the grid, and he proved it when he secured his 104th career pole position there, edging out Verstappen by just 0.003s. As per Rosberg, the pole position instilled faith in Hamilton once more. On the Chequered Flag podcast, he said, “It’s different when you start to believe again that Toto and the team can actually give you a car where you have a chance to win races and, perhaps, go for another championship. It’ll be a big difference in your state of mind to actually put pen to paper and signing a contract where maybe there’s a couple of million less than you’re hoping.”

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Do you think Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will announce the contract extension at Zandvoort, or will they keep everyone waiting till the end of the season?

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