How important is Hamilton to F1? 'We hope he will be announced soon'

The Formula 1 grid for 2021 is almost complete. 19 of the 20 available seats already have an owner, but at Mercedes, they still leave one seat vacant. Lewis Hamilton's name is already on the list and it is expected that the Briton will sign on, but there is no official confirmation from the German team yet.

However, the expectation is that the seven-time world champion will drive for Mercedes next season, Formula One's new CEO Stefano Domenicali also sees. "I am not in Lewis' head and I am not in Toto's position. He has to make that decision himself in the end, but I really hope we can get the confirmation soon because he will be fighting for the title next season and from a sporting point of view that is great."

Next season will then be Hamilton's fifteenth in F1 and an eighth world title beckons, allowing him to take over the record from Michael Schumacher. "I can imagine the pressure he is under to take over that record because of course that would be a great story to tell," explained the Italian at RaceFans.net.

"I don't think they are in a hurry at Mercedes. For the sport, it would be very good if there is an announcement soon. Of course, they still have a discussion on many points, I think it's not just about his salary. It will be much more about what both parties see in the future and that's why it just takes a bit longer," Domenicali concluded.