Lewis Hamilton Blasts Former Champions Over Claims Of Mercedes Departure

The seven-time champion has hit out at claims about his Mercedes contract.

Lewis Hamilton has voiced his disagreement with two former world champions, Jenson Button and Damon Hill, who questioned his commitment to the sport if he were to drive a substandard car.

Before the Bahrain Grand Prix opening on Sunday, Hamilton was asked if he considered the upcoming season to be his final hurrah. The 37-year-old refuted this claim, stating that he had no such thoughts.

Mercedes AMG F1 Media

Hamilton's comments come amid speculation surrounding his contract negotiations with Mercedes. His current contract expired at the end of 2020, and although he is expected to sign a new one, there has been no official confirmation. He explained to the media:

"It is ultimately people creating rumours without facts, and it is never helpful, and you would have thought that they would both know me by now.

"I have been with Mercedes since I was 13 and despite a difficult time last year, I am still here, and whether or not we have a difficult year this year, I will still be here.

"I am a fighter and we fight as a team. I love the challenge of findings solutions and I still believe I am able to put the car in places that perhaps others are not able to.

"Of course, I wish we were starting the season with a great car but it is the journey that really counts.'

Last month, during the launch, Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, announced that negotiations for a new contract with Lewis Hamilton had begun. 

The current contract of the British driver, which pays him £40 million per year, expires at the end of this season. Despite Max Verstappen's comfortable victory in the previous season, where Mercedes was struggling and lagged behind Ferrari and Red Bull, Hamilton's passion for the sport doesn't seem to have diminished.

Hamilton continued: 

"There is no hold-up with our contract. I have always been very, very relaxed and I don't feel like I have to get it done right this second. I am in a very fortunate position.

"It will get done when we are ready. I have a great relationship with Toto and with Mercedes and we fully support each other.

"I am really excited about the future together and really proud of the work we are doing, on and off the track and the potential of new things that we can do moving forward.

"We will get there unless something catastrophic happens between me and Toto and we get in the boxing ring, but other than that we are good."