Martin Brundle says Mercedes have 'George Russell card to play' as he delivers Lewis Hamilton F1 contract verdict
Ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton, whose current deal expi🥂res at the end of this year, said progress on a contract extension has been made following the latest round of talks with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
Wolff had suggested that the seven-time world champion’s future could be resolved before this weekend’s race in Montreal, but no an🅰nouncement has come.
Ex-F1 driver turned pundit Brundle believes both✤ parties will “have some car🥀ds to play” amid the ongoing negotiations.
“It’ll be the detail,” he said during Sky F1’s coverage. “I kind of feel its none of my business his contract in some respects, But of🌞 course, we ask the q𒅌uestions.
“Lewis transcends this sport in many ways and I'm sure there will be elements in his contract that reflect that i💝n other things that he does, extracurricular to driving the car as itꦛ were.
“Act in haste, repent at leisure. What’s the p꧟oint? The current contract’s still in play and I’m sure they are just working through the detail.
“Mercedes have some cards to play, one of them will be George Russell. Lewis will have some cards to pay, one of themꦯ will be an underperforming car and things he wants to do.
“I’m sure they are putting in place all soꦅrts of milestones if you like for the futuღre.”
A report by The Daily Mail claims Hamilton has demanded a staggering five-year deal worth £250ꦰm to re-sign with Mercedes.
Brundle expects Hamilton to commit tꦯo F1 for the lo𒈔ng-term.
“I can easily see another⭕ two to thr🤡ee years,” he said.
"He's easily strong enough, fit enough, mentally still fit enough, he's really got a spring in his s🔯tep at the moment and enjoying his F1. It seems clear to me watching him in the press conferences and around the car.
"The current drivers have been in such good shape for a long time that they don't tend to get broken legs or bumps on thꦛe head these days either thank goodness."
He added: “It doesn't really matter with the contra☂ct because if your driver says 'do you know what, I'v﷽e had enough' nobody will force you to get into the car.
"But I always sa💃y you don't lose the speed, you lose the need and Lewis has not lost t💞he need to be a Formula 1 driver."
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for wuqian0821.com around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the s🌸tories of the people who matter in the sport.
