So Lewis has signed a new contract with Mercedes, nobody surprised. But it's only for 1 year, everybody surprised. I take this to imply that Merc were ok with signing for 1 year because they already signed a contract with George Russel for 2022. Whilst Lewis is thinking seriously about retiring after he (probably) breaks 100 poles and 100 wins this year and didn't want to have to buy himself out. If he does decide to stop Merc already have their drivers sorted, onto a long term publicity and charity work type deal like Mika Hakinnen. If he decides to keep going then it's very bad news for Bottas.
Yep I see it exactly the same way - the only other option I can see him taking is doing a couple of years at Ferrari, but I suspect: 1) "Retire" and probably do WEC and/or brand ambassadorial stuff 2) Take up another year or two 3) Ferrari Would be in that order.
Lewis probably just doesn't want to risk tying himself to a team that may not be competitive in 2022 due to mostly new cars.
Placing all the eggs on George and Bottas come new regulations is a high risk for Mercedes, if the car is not out of the block fast. The development could be hindered by lack of experience and lack of talent. also would either meet the requirements from sponsors? Would anyone outside of motorsport know who they were ? I doubt it personally. Will this be the Lewis Hamilton retirement party for 2021, walks away with 8 titles 100 + wins / poles I can’t see him joining Ferrari in all honesty.
Russell and Bottas are the kind of beige, middle class nice guys that sponsors dream about. If Hamilton wasn't so incredibly fast I doubt Mercedes or anyone else would have tolerated his tendency to go off brand so often. I doubt Merc have any doubts about Russell anymore after Sakhir, he can drive a Williams, nothing Merc can build for him will cause him difficulty.
Yeh I don't see him driving for Ferrari, especially in their current state. He'll either have a go in the new cars for fun, see what they're like, or walk away.
Maybe that's why it's a one year deal - he wants to keep his options open for after the regulations change. Then again, maybe he wants an eighth WDC before retiring, and he's going year by year until he achieves it.
They only dream about them if someone outside of the Sport knows who they are. Personally think if Lewis says he is retiring they will go for a big star to put beside Russell. Max is the obvious candidate for that at this point.
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/3...nt-third-race-slot-on-2021-formula-1-calendar Portimão confirmed.
Alonso had an accident Update: Alsonso having an op for a broken Jaw. Good news, Alsonso wont wo able to compain about the car during testing Wonder if we'll have super sub Hulk in the car for testing and first few races.
Fingers crossed Nando isn't in too bad a state, it sounds nasty but not quite in the same scale as poor Zanardi. I'd be shocked if he retires without trying the new cars - that's 3 eras of F1 he could experience.
