vetfever

Sergio gets a seat for next year. With him in a Red Bull and the McLaren's getting Merc engines, I am hoping next year will be a much closer season.

pfitzsim

Great news - would have been tragic to see Perez not have a seat for 2021. And yes hopefully it will be a closer season worth tuning in for - certainly couldn't be worse than the season we just watched, other than for a race or two.

Cheers.

Parabolica1

SP deserved that seat, he actually had a pretty decent season. I don’t think he’ll be on Max’s pace though.

Here’s hoping we finally get a competitive season. It’s surprising Mercedes still haven’t resigned Lewis yet.

ADR944

Great news! 2021 is going to be a great season.

pfitzsim

I think they're still figuring out how they are going to pay for him!!!!

george44

Reality is that there were a few races that Mercedes would have lost if it were not for Lewis to save the day. He is paid a lot but as always and everywhere one gets what the business believes one is worth. Don't want to comment on how much professional hockey, baseball, basketball and other players get in the USA, or in Canada for that matter (I believe the most obscene salaries are actually in the USA). Anyway. In my opinion I believe the reason lies onto Lewis being assured Mercedes will continue to support F1 and will continue to put up the money and develop the car. Dieter Zetsche brought in Mercedes into F1 and supported the team through hell and high water especially in the first few years when the results simply were not there. But Mr Zetsche has retired 2 years ago and Olla Kalenius universe revolves around electric cars. I am actually surprised he has not yet pulled the plug

George

george44

Wow, just read an announcement on F1.com, Ineos will become 1/3 partner in Mercedes F1 team and in order to do that Daimler will reduce their current 60% shareholding in the team (and Toto will increase his current 30%). Mercedes F1 will now have three equal partners. So Daimler did not exit completely, remains to be seen how committed they are,

George

vetfever

I am thinking LH is probably asking for stuff to support his social causes. So probably the money is not the key thing.

ronnie993tt

Poor Albon benched though. Was doing so well. Hamilton is certainly a fabulous driver but is replaceable. I bet his main interest is records. Put him on the spot and offer him 1/2 the money. Does it really matter that much if he stays? Ending the Hamilton procession would make for a more interesting race.

928gt

It's not a Hamilton procession - it's a Mercedes procession. They are so far ahead of everyone else that even with George Russel driving Lewis's car for the first time he was still running in first place until the tire change clusterf**k in Bahrain.

Glad to see Checo with a seat. He's a good guy and a decent driver, and the fact that he brings hundreds of millions of dollars in sponsorship money from Carols Slim obviously doesn't hurt. It's too bad that Albon is now without a ride... he may not be quite ready for a prime seat, but he's also a solid driver on his way up that should be driving in some midfield team. He just doesn't have the deep pockets that other (worse) drivers do.

928gt

This sums things up perfectly!

ronnie993tt

It's not a Hamilton procession - it's a Mercedes procession. They are so far ahead of everyone else that even with George Russel driving Lewis's car for the first time he was still running in first place until the tire change clusterf**k in Bahrain.

Even more of a reason to dump Hamilton.

928gt

I can't see Mercedes doing that at this stage despite the partial change in team ownership. Lewis is still a good driver that just won another championship for them, and from the team's perspective there is no reason to dump him. I do suspect that his salary might be a sticking point as he is no doubt asking for top dollar, but with everything that has transpired I suspect that it is in both his and Mercedes's best interest to keep the status quo for the time being. He'll likely settle for a somewhat lower figure and keep his seat for another season.

ronnie993tt

I can't see them doing it either but I would. Guess that's why I'd never make a good F1 team manager.

Imo000

Why would you risk ruining something that is already a winning combination?