Hamilton (C) takes part in the End Racism event ahead of the Abu
Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in the
Emirati city of Abu Dhabi on December 13, 2020. HAMAD I MOHAMMED /
POOL / AFP
Lewis Hamilton ended speculation about future intentions
on Sunday when he made clear he expects to sign a new contract with
Mercedes before Christmas.
The newly-crowned seven-time world champion, who finished third
in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on return from a bout of
Covid-19, said talks with team chief Toto Wolff were likely to
start in the next “couple of weeks”.
“I plan to be here next year, I want to be here next year,”
Hamilton told reporters after the race.
“I think us, as a team, have more to do together, more to
achieve both in the sport an even more outside the sport.
“So, yes, I hope we can begin this week discussions and
hopefully get it tied up before Christmas.”
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Hamilton has won six of his seven titles with Mercedes since
joining in 2013.
In that time, he has won 74 races, the most by any driver with a
single constructor.
He has also scored points in a record 49 consecutive races if
only race starts are considered after he missed last weekend’s
Sakhir Grand Prix.
On Sunday, he admitted he felt “destroyed” by the after-effects
of the coronavirus and was well below his best in the race at the
Yas Marina Circuit won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Wolff said Mercedes’ defeat -– Valtteri Bottas finished second
ahead of Hamilton –- meant they departed Abu Dhabi with “a slap on
the wrist” following a below-par display.
Verstappen came home 16 seconds clear of Bottas at the end of
the team’s most comprehensive beating this year.
“We are leaving this race with a slap on the wrist,” said
Wolff.
“It wasn’t a good weekend for us.”
AFP
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/12/14/hamilton-expects-to-sign-new-mercedes-deal-by-christmas/