Lewis Hamilton is the only top F1 driver without a contract until 2024. His last two-year deal with Mercedes expires at the end of 2023 and although both sides have claimed an extension would come before his departure in 2022, nothing like that happened.

And it understandably raises questions about the causes. Adding to these question marks are rumors that Mercedes are interested in replacing Hamilton with Charles Leclerc after the Monegasque’s contract with Ferrari expires at the end of 2024. These rumors go as far as the signing of a preliminary contract between Mercedes and Leclerc.

But looking for other reasons for the long – and publicly unclear – delay in extending Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes, Damon Hill and Jenson Button – British F1 champions in 1996 with Williams and 2009 with Brawn GP respectively – look to the seven-time champion’s decision is directly related to the competitiveness of this year’s Mercedes W14 on the race track.

“It has to be‘ said Button.’What other reason is there to leave it so late? He knows how annoying we all get when we ask him, and he’ll hate having to keep answering. It has to do with him wondering how competitive they will be. Will he sign if the car isn’t competitive? Nobody knows“.

Hamilton is chasing the grand record of eight Formula One world titles denied him by the events of the Abu Dhabi GP in 2021. At 38 he has no leeway – due to age – to make wrong decisions, and it probably wouldn’t be in his best interest to continue playing a supporting role with an uncompetitive car.

Consequently, Lewis is at a very critical time in his career, as Damon Hill argues: “At 38, the years are obviously flying by for Lewis, but he remains as fast as ever. And in equally good physical condition. With the way drivers take care of themselves today and with the assistance of the car’s steering, I don’t think there is any age reason why he shouldn’t continue to drive past his 40’s. Fernando [Αλόνσο] is the living proof.

The question is, what keeps him here? Is it only the eighth title? Will she leave if she wins it? Or does he continue because he likes to fight? I couldn’t imagine Lewis going around trying to score points like Fernando had to do.

Whatever the reason, Lewis is not under contract until 2024. And it will be fascinating to see his next move. He and Mercedes have been saying he wants to continue for months, but nothing has been announced just ahead of the first GP of the year. And the question is why“.

And tried to find the answer: “One possible explanation is that he’s waiting to see how competitive Mercedes will be before committing to a new deal. If they launch in 2023 and are miles away, maybe he’s less keen on a new deal? Or is it the team holding back? Lewis doesn’t cost a fortune. There are a lot of Mercedes, but it also costs them a lot. In George Russell they have found a driver capable of taking the championship in the right car.

I don’t think anyone other than Lewis and Mercedes knows the answers to these questions. But what we do know is that one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport is going through a critical period in his career“.

During his difficult season last year, Hamilton never suggested that the disappointing performance of the Mercedes W13 would have prompted him to consider retiring from the sport. He stated his thirst to return was great and he proved it by grappling with his racing woes in the second half of the season.

If such a year is repeated this year with W14, will he start thinking about it? And if he thinks about it, will he wait for the alleged restyling of the Mercedes car next summer before making his decisions? And what role will George Russell’s excellence play alongside him?

“I think it’s going to be a great fight‘ Button said of this year’s on-track showdown between Hamilton and Russell.You are both so talented. One obviously has more championships than the other (ps. Hamilton shares a record 7 F1 titles with Michael Schumacher) but George is great, he honestly is. Technically and mechanically he is a great talentbutton complete.