Buxton: 'Late contract Hamilton is because of lockdown world'

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff signed a new contract together on Monday, officially taking the last free seat in Formula 1. This was a long time coming and has led to much speculation. Why did it take so long for a contract to be signed? According to F1 reporter Will Buxton, it is relatively easy to explain: the unique situation in the world.

Same intention

In a new video Buxton discusses the latest move, saying: "It gives Lewis and Mercedes a way to continue their successful partnership. It gives them both the opportunity to fight for the eighth world championship. Both constructors and drivers. It gives Lewis a springboard to really place himself outright statistically as the best ever with that eighth title."

"Let's be honest, if the W12 comes even close to the W11 in 2020, it's almost a certainty", the eighth title for Hamilton. Precisely for that reason, the extension comes as a surprise to no one, but the most interesting question in this whole story is of course the length of time it took to come about. Does it have to do with the CEO of Daimler? Was Hamilton setting his salary demands too high? Was George Russell somehow a factor?

The world situation

It is logical to consider secondary elements from a speculative perspective, given that so much has happened in recent months. However, Buxton argues that it is an unusual world situation that has caused a delayed negotiation. Also because the season ended exceptionally late.

Buxton: "I don't think there was ever a risk that Mercedes and Lewis would not continue their cooperation. Everything Toto Wolff said beforehand was that there were some small normal hurdles to overcome. But beyond that, they both had the will to continue their relationship."

"It's that the 2020 season ended so late in the year, in mid-December. By the time everyone got home, it was Christmas. Then the start of the year, the UK is in lockdown, Lewis is out of the country... I think it just took a bit more time because of the unique way a lockdown world works. There was always the intention from both sides to continue," Buxton said.