'Schumacher didn't even need a clause in his contract for that'

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes came to an agreement for 2021 last week. After a long period of uncertainty, the rumours have been silenced. One of those rumours was that Hamilton wanted a veto over possible future teammates. Mercedes denies this but according to Bernie Ecclestone it would not be a strange demand.

This has happened more than once in the history of Formula 1. The wish of Alain Prost to keep Senna out of Williams in 1993 is perhaps the best example. Ecclestone stressed in conversation with f1-insider.com that another great champion also always wanted number one status with his team.

"Michael [Schumacher] didn't even need a contract clause for that. He was the clear number one, with him Ferrari wanted to return to the glory days. That's why Jean Todt always asked him in advance who he would like as a teammate. Michael could live with Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa. If Michael had objected - they would not have ended up at Ferrari."

Schumacher to McLaren flopped

According to f1insider, there is a lesser-known story that Schumacher tried to make the switch to McLaren-Mercedes in 1999 and came up with similar demands there. Then Mercedes boss Jürgen Hubbert could not accept that and the deal fell through. Should the rumours about Hamilton be true, Mercedes is at least consistent in their view that they do not give a driver power over the choice of drivers.