'Ineos must offer a solution now that Hamilton refuses to reduce salary'

Lewis Hamilton's contract has already come to an end, and where the extension of the contract seemed a formality, it now seems to be taking a little longer than expected. INEOS must offer a solution to the stalemate between Mercedes and Sir Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton's wishes

Hamilton won his seventh world title in 2020, made his mark in the fight against racism and inequality, and was subsequently knighted at the end of 2020. Sir Lewis Hamilton still doesn't have a contract for 2021, because that deal with Mercedes has still not been signed.

In fact, according to Corriere Della Sera, Hamilton is refusing to reduce money in his new contract. Hamilton is said to have made EUR 45 million in 2020 and he doesn't want to earn less in 2021. He would also like a guaranteed role as an ambassador for Mercedes should he decide to quit Formula 1.

Daimler holds its own

However, Ola Kallenius, Chairman of Daimler's Board of Directors, is not served by that attitude. He has had to cut many jobs as a result of the crisis caused by the coronavirus and would not understand why the Formula 1 driver should still have the same budget as in 2020.

The outcome of this stalemate must be a new partner for the INEOS team. The big Jim Ratcliffe brand wants to remain at the top of Formula 1 and sees Hamilton as an important link for this success. INEOS would like to fill the gap between supply and demand so that a new Hamilton contract can still be realised.