New Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said Lewis Hamilton won’t say whether or not he will re-sign with Mercedes for the 2021 season, as speculation mounts over why the decision is being drawn out.
Hamilton is currently out of contract and his Mercedes seat remains the only unconfirmed position on the grid. Traditionally contracts are signed and announced well in advance of the new season, but track action is set to resume in just over six weeks time when pre-season testing kicks off in Bahrain in March.
Several rumours are circulating which suggest Hamilton is making demands which Mercedes parent company Daimler is refusing to agree to, whilst others suggest the seven-time World Champion is reconsidering his future in the sport.
They are of course just rumours and only a handful of people really know the truth, despite what some websites with “insider” knowledge might claim.
Domenicali though is keen for the matter to be resolved quickly after confirming he has spoken with Hamilton, who refused to go into detail on the matter.
“We spoke over the Christmas period,” Domenicali told Sky Italia. “He is not telling me if he will sign or not sign the renewal with Mercedes.
“Of course, he has a great opportunity to become the greatest in the records. He also has the opportunity to continue to have a role that goes beyond the sporting dimension.
“I am convinced and I hope, as an interested party, that everything can be resolved quickly.”
Domenicali is of course a former Ferrari team boss and he is also keen to see the team’s fortunes improve this year, following one of their worst results in history.
“Compared to what happened last year, we all need a competitive Ferrari,” he added. “I am convinced that things will improve, even if it will not be easy with the regulations that are stable.
“They were able to work a little on the power unit to make up for last year’s gap. I expect a Ferrari that is close to the goal of being able to fight [at the top] again.
“I think team principals like [Toto] Wolff and [Christian] Horner also wish it to have a show that is more attractive to everyone.”
