Lewis Hamilton holding out for an improved Mercedes deal

Lewis Hamilton is no longer putting pen to paper on a two-year Mercedes deal, instead he is reportedly holding out for a longer four-year 53m Euro contract.

And it is all thanks to Max Verstappen.

Hamilton holds all the aces

As a six-time World Champion there’s not much that would stop any team from wanting to sign Hamilton, except maybe his salary.

Mercedes has stated that holding onto the Brit is a “priority” while Ferrari has also been in talks, feeling out the driver for a possible switch to red.

However, earlier this month Gazzetta dello Sport reported that it was Mercedes who had won the battle, at least for now.

According to the Italian publication Hamilton would soon be putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal, keeping him at Brackley until the end of 2022.

That picture, though, has changed according to Marca and it is all down to Verstappen.

The Dutchman recently signed a new long-term contract with Red Bull Racing, committing his future to the Honda-powered team until the end of 2023.

That effectively took Mercedes’ number one target out of the equation.

Motorsport boss Toto Wolff was believed to want Verstappen to replace Hamilton should the 35-year-old either move to Ferrari, or quit Formula 1.

Without Verstappen, Wolff and Mercedes no longer have a star replacement lined up.

Hamilton has reportedly jumped at that.

Wants four years and 53m

Spanish daily Marca is reporting that the Brit has decided not to sign the initial two-year contract as he now wants more years and more money.

With his next deal potentially his last in Formula 1, Hamilton doesn’t want two years any more, he wants four.

Added to that his also asking for a major increase.

Although he already earns 42 million Euros per season, he now wants “55 million Euros” and he wants Mercedes to keep him on after those four years as an “ambassador”.

Options on the table

Mercedes currently has Valtteri Bottas in the car alongside Hamilton and George Russell waiting in the wings, biding his time at Williams.

Neither, though, has the pulling power of Hamilton, Verstappen or even Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

That has limited the team’s options as they look to continue their run of championship titles.

Hamilton on the other hand is believed to have a few options open.

He can take the two-year Mercedes deal or hold out for a better one or he could possibly swap to Ferrari for 2021.

The Scuderia will have an opening if Sebastian Vettel doesn’t up his game by the midseason point, freeing up a seat for Hamilton to swap to red.