LEWIS HAMILTON will flip his consideration to getting his new Mercedes deal completed now the F1 season is over.
The world champ completed third within the Abu Dhabi GP after Max Verstappen claimed an excellent victory for Red Bull.
Lewis Hamilton celebrated his F1 return by performing doughnutsCredit score: Getty Photos – Getty
The Brit completed third in Abu Dhabi however had already scooped the Driver’s ChampionshipCredit score: Getty Photos – Getty
Hamilton pulled doughnuts in his F1 automobile to have fun the top of the 12 months, however continues to be affected by the consequences after testing positive for Covid-19.
Nonetheless coughing throughout a post-race interview, he mentioned he was “grateful to be alive”.
He mentioned: “I do not suppose I’ve ever been so blown. My physique is not feeling nice however look on the intense aspect, I made it by.
“I did not suppose any time final week that I’d be right here, so, I’m simply actually grateful for my well being and to be alive.
“I’m trying ahead to recovering over the following time period we’ve and being again into coaching and getting my physique again to the place I do know it needs to be.
“You may’t win all of them, so, I believe contemplating the previous couple of weeks that I’ve had, I’m actually, typically, pleased with the weekend.
“It is clearly not 100 per cent, it is inferior to I might maybe have preferred however congratulations to Max. That was a very onerous race for me.
“All 12 months bodily I’ve been superb, however at the moment I undoubtedly wasn’t so I’m simply glad it’s over.”
I did not suppose any time final week that I’d be right here, so, I’m simply actually grateful for my well being and to be alive
Lewis Hamilton
Earlier than Hamilton can put his ft up, he’ll maintain dialogue with Merc boss Toto Wolff over new phrases.
He’s understood to have agreed wages of as much as £40million for at the least two years whereas the 2 are actually haggling over the superb print, together with media and sponsorship necessities.
When quizzed as to when he can anticipate to signal the deal, Hamilton added: “Hopefully over the following couple of weeks.
“We’d like to get it completed earlier than Christmas. The plan is to be right here at Mercedes subsequent 12 months and I wish to be right here.
“Us as a crew have extra to attain each out and in of the game, so I hope we are able to start talks once more this week and get it tied up earlier than Christmas.”
Take nothing away from Verstappen’s win, however this was a dreary GP because the Yas Marina circuit served up one other dullard after some wonderful races on this quick season.
A complete of 17 GPs in 23 weekends has been a punishing schedule for these on the highway, who will not need telling it’s simply 95 days till apply in Melbourne for the 2021 season opener.
The ten biggest F1 drivers of all-time – based on SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
Verstappen is hoping that this, his second win of 2020, bodes nicely for his possibilities of wrestling the title out of Hamilton’s palms subsequent season.
He mentioned: “It’s a good way to complete the season and a giant increase for everybody within the crew.
“I simply hope that we be taught from earlier years that we’ve to be stronger originally of the season to have the ability to give the Mercedes drivers a bit of little bit of a more durable time.”
