Lewis Hamilton puts new deal on hold as Mercedes confirm Valtteri Bottas

Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton stated on Thursday he felt uncomfortable negotiating a profitable contract extension with Mercedes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic because the workforce confirmed Valtteri Bottas was staying subsequent yr.

Hamilton is out of contract on the finish of the yr however trying positive to remain on the dominant champions, with no different accessible seat as aggressive.

“Ultimately, honestly, it just doesn’t feel like the right time,” the Briton instructed reporters on the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

“When you think about so many people in the world that have lost their jobs, people that are unemployed, then to sit and negotiate a big contract — it just doesn’t seem like the most important thing that I need to apply time to right this second.”

Bottas’s extension was anticipated, with champions Mercedes having made clear they supposed to retain the 30-year-old Finn for a fifth successive season.

“I’m confident that we have the strongest driver pairing in F1 today and signing Valtteri is an important first step in retaining this strength for the future,” stated workforce boss Toto Wolff in a press release.

“Valtteri is a hard-working, straightforward guy who has a good relationship with the entire team including his team mate, which is not a given when both drivers are fighting for the championship.”

Hamilton is main Bottas by 30 factors after 4 races and goes for his fourth successive victory on Sunday when Silverstone hosts a grand prix for the second weekend in a row.

Bottas, total runner-up in 2019, received final month’s delayed season-opener in Austria. The Finn has received eight races with Mercedes since becoming a member of from Williams in 2017.

“The past few years have been all about continuous improvement, working on every aspect of my performance. I’m confident that today I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, but I can always raise the bar,” he stated.

“I’m in the fight for the title this year and staying with Mercedes puts me in the best possible position to compete for it next season as well.”