The Emilia Romagna GP results were a symbolic gesture of Mercedes’ dominance. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas delivered a 1-2 finish to seal the team’s seventh straight Constructors’ title.

Shortly after the race, Hamilton gave a slight indication that him staying in F1 next year may not be a given. This sparked speculation over whether Hamilton was considering retirement.

However, former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa believes that that might not be the case. He thinks that Lewis is in the process of negotiations, which will lead to a new contract at Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton is ‘different’ than other F1 drivers for the moment

Hamilton still has a good few years ahead of him, which includes achieving a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ title. The numbers are possibly what could encourage the Briton to go the distance.

Speaking to the podcast ‘F1 Nation’, Massa is quoted as saying, “I think Lewis, he can’t be tired now. He still has some numbers in front of him to be like you know, the best of the best.”

Massa also feels that what Lewis is doing is right, in terms of considering his options. He also said that a short-term contract could be on the horizon, which Lewis very well deserves, according to him.

“I think Lewis is just preparing his second 2-3 years contract, which I think he deserves to be honest. What he’s doing shows that he definitely deserves it, to be different than all the other drivers in everything.

“So that’s what in my view Lewis is trying to do. I think he’s doing right and he deserves it you know, because he is showing that whatever things happen, he is different than the others for the moment.”

Will Hamilton sign a contract to stay beyond the 2021 season?

This is the question many of Hamilton’s fans, as well as those of the sport, are asking at present. The fact of the matter is that Hamilton holds a few aces which strengthen his negotiating position at the table.

All the career race wins and drivers’ titles will not go for naught as Mercedes are essentially structuring a contract discussion, with the best F1 racer of the modern era.

F1 will certainly lose a superstar like Hamilton, should he retire from the sport. However, one can only hope that for the sake of sheer competitive racing, he will be in Formula 1, come the start of the 2021 season.