LEWIS HAMILTON and his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff toasted his seventh title with a number of glasses of one thing particular at 30,000ft.
However now it is time to put pleasantries apart as they lock horns over a brand new deal.
Lewis Hamilton is F1’s high earner at £40m per yr
Hamilton flew again to Good earlier than the brief 30 minute transit to his Monaco dwelling whereas Wolff was visiting his spouse, Susie, who’s group boss of the Venturi System E group primarily based within the principality.
The 35-year-old has simply 44 days remaining on his present take care of the Silver Arrows.
It is a distinctive state of affairs for his earlier contracts have often been tied up by September.
However then this Covid-hit season will not be regular by any stretch.
Wolff and Hamilton have been pressured to maintain their distance, not like their final contract renewal that came about in Hamilton’s kitchen over a takeaway pizza and lasted for ten hours.
Hamilton has taken his time. He says his focus has been on profitable the title.
However with title No7 now secured, his consideration will flip to his new contract, anticipated to be a 3 yr deal price £40million a season.
When SunSport requested the reigning champion if now was the time to enroll now he’d secured the title, he stated: “Positively it’s one thing that we do must get onto.
Hamilton is predicted to open talks with Mercedes boss Wolff over a brand new contractCredit score: Getty Pictures – Getty
“I simply all the time assume, via the yr that I’ve received a job to do, I’ve received a contract in place, I don’t really feel like I ought to add stress.
“It must be natural and never one thing that’s pressured. So, I believed I might wager on myself.
“Naturally there are days once you assume ‘what occurs should you begin making errors?’
“What occurs should you worsen rapidly, you don’t put in these nice performances?
“Does your worth lower? Does your bargaining energy lower? Does your fame go off a cliff?
“I do know there’s eventualities in life the place you’re like ‘let’s join actual fast’, so that you assure your future, and for me, I’ve wager on myself.
“I do the work. I do know myself higher than anybody and I do know what I can do, and I understand how to do it. Higher than ever.
“And so, I wished to place it apart and wait till the job is finished.
“So, most likely over these subsequent weeks – we’ve received three weeks within the Center East – so, now it’s a bit extra chilled however I nonetheless have three races forward of me that I need to win.
“It’s not carried out however we’ll get it carried out, I’m positive.”
Hamilton was showered in champagne after profitable his seventh titleCredit score: Splash Information
Whereas the monetary particulars are anticipated to stay the identical from his present deal, on this time of cost-cutting and the looming cost-cap to restrict group’s spending, Mercedes know the worth he brings to their model.
His success and picture have helped rework the three-pointed star’s affiliation with an outdated man’s motor to one of many greatest and coolest manufacturers on this planet.
As a seven-time champ, Hamilton might title his value and Wolff would wish to play hard-ball with the Damlier board in Stuttgart – a tough place given his personal future will not be but resolved.
Wolff, who additionally owns a 30 p.c share within the group, is known to be angling for a task of chairman, previously held by the late Niki Lauda.
It could free him up for his different enterprise pursuits, together with his non-public shareholding in Aston Martin, plus giving him some extra time together with his household.
Wolff, says he shall be sticking round in some capability, having recognized his successor.
And he’s assured Hamilton shall be doing the identical.
Previous to Hamilton’s win in Istanbul, he stated: “I don’t need to drop a date (when Hamilton will signal) as a result of, if I do, all people’s going to ask at each single race – however that is what we agreed.
“I believe it was vital to make it possible for we’ve each titles secured after which have a extra relaxed method to the dialogue concerning the future.
“It’s a superb dependence on one another. We wish him within the automobile and I believe he desires to drive the Mercedes – as a result of it’s aggressive.
“So, no, I believe there’s a good steadiness.”
