Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are reportedly in the final stretch of their contract talks, with a deal possibly being announced next week.
According to F1-Insider's Ralf Bach, the seven-time world champion and the German manufacturer have agreed financial terms, with Hamilton set for an unchanged estimated €40 million retainer.
However, as an extra bonus, Mercedes is said to have agreed to attribute to its driver advertising space on Hamilton's overalls and helmet.
The contract will allegedly tie the two parties for a single year with an option to extend the deal for another year.
While F1-Insider has proven to a reliable news source in the past, we'll take the info with a grain of salt given the confidential nature of contract talks.
As Hamilton and Mercedes cross the t's and dot the i's of their new deal, the 95-time Grand Prix winner is purported to have demanded a teammate exclusion clause, or what F1-Insider has labeled a "Verstappen clause", a provision by which Hamilton could bar the entry to Mercedes to any driver by whom he might feel threatened.
While Verstappen will no doubt feel flattered by the clause being named after him, it's unlikely Hamilton will need to keep the Dutchman at bay as the latter's contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2023, a term by which the Mercedes star will have perhaps sailed into the sunset and moved on to a life beyond F1.
And if he hasn't, and he's still racing on, bring on the inner team rivalry with any driver! Hamilton can handle it.
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