Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton agreed last week on a new two-year contract that will see the Briton race for the Brackley squad until the end of 2025. But why did the two parties not commit to a longer deal?
In the past months, both Hamilton and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff often spoke about their long-term allegiance to each other, with the seven-time F1 world champion describing the German outfit as his surrogate family of which he hopes to remain a member forever in some capacity.
But Wolff elaborated on the reason why Hamilton's latest deal will run for only two years, insisting anything longer would have required the inclusion of "escape clauses" which neither party wanted to negotiate.
"This is a dynamic environment and signing a five-year contract means that you need to discuss about [if] there is any escape clause in case we’re not providing him with a car that is performing," Wolff told Sky Sports F1 in Monza last weekend.
"So, we didn’t entertain that. We said we see the foreseeable future is two years. And that’s what we are committing to each other."
Read also:
Wolff made clear that the limited term of Hamilton's latest covenant was by no means an indication that the two parties won't be working together beyond 2025, or further out into the future when the Briton retires from F1.
Hamilton has been affiliated with Mercedes since his karting days and he hopes to remain an ambassador of the brand in his life after F1.
Wolff sees that perspective working out for Hamilton.
"I think first of all, his role with the team will go on for a longer period even when he decides not to drive anymore," said the Austrian.
"I believe in the fact that if it’s of benefit for both parties, then you’re staying together.
"We need to make a quick car, we need a quick driver. Like a very famous football coach once told me, if a good player wants to go elsewhere then he’s not going to be stopped from going elsewhere.
"So, when somebody wants to move, either the team or the driver, then you’ve just got to move."
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
