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FORMULA ONE returns this week after the summer break – and a void of news about Lewis Hamilton’s future.
After being told that a deal was close to being signed back in June, there has still been no pen put to paper, as the saga rumbles on.
At the Hungarian GP, Merc boss Toto Wolff said the two parties had “emotionally” agreed to sign – so why the hold up?
The likelihood is that the duration of the contract – expected to be two years – has been agreed. As well as the wages of around £50million a year.
However, the likely sticking point will centre on the amount of time Hamilton will be contractually obliged to be available for Mercedes’ sponsors.
Hamilton is in the box seat. He knows his worth to Mercedes in terms of his brand and is understandably willing to play hardball.
On the other side, Mercedes are stuck in they have not really got an alternative. Mick Schumacher is not in the same league and a legal battle for McLaren’s Lando Norris could be messy.
Hamilton will be asked about the contract this week, but I am not holding my breath for a resolution just yet.
Meanwhile, Wolff suffered a fall during the summer break after coming off his bicycle. The Mercedes boss hurt his elbow but it expected to be at this week’s Dutch GP as the season resumes.
It is not the first time Wolff has hurt himself in a cycling accident. In 2014, he fractured his shoulder, collar bone, elbow and wrist after coming off while cycling along the Danube River. – Sun.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter