At times this season Lewis Hamilton looked more likely to win a race than sign a new contract, such was the glacial pace of negotiations despite the promise of imminence. Coffee in Monaco came and went, as did the quasi-Canadian Grand Prix deadline. At last we have smoke signals over Monza, both Hamilton and teammate George Russell penning two-year contract extensions until the end of 2025.
The fulsome eulogies to both from team principal Toto Wolff beg the question why it took so long to reach this resolution. Hamilton, Wolff tells us provocatively, is still the biggest star in Formula One despite a winless streak stretching back to 2021 and the present dominance of the peerless Max Verstappen. Perhaps he just wants to tickle the ribs of Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner, who is needlessly relentless in his cheerleading for the Dutchman.
Hamilton has at least restored the balance of power at Mercedes, significantly ahead of Russell this term after being second best for much of 2022. Though the wounds of Abu Dhabi, where his eighth title was denied him in alarming circumstances in the final race of 2021, no longer hinder performance, the scar is likely to remain until he rights that appalling wrong. His new deal is worth £50m per season, or £100m in total.
In his bulletin ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes trackside engineer Andrew Shovlin spoke positively about the prospects of challenging Red Bull next season. Development of the 2024 car is progressing at pace with capacity to push on for a little while yet with the revised 2023 design. The two-year window thus suits Hamilton, taking him past his 40th birthday and giving Mercedes time to bed the more profound structural changes to the car coming over the winter.
“Our partnership with Lewis is one of the most successful in the sport’s history,” Wolff said.
“It was always a formality that we would continue together – and it’s energising for us all to be confirming that publicly.
“His qualities as a pure racing driver are illustrated by his remarkable track record; but over our years together, he has grown to become a pillar and leader of our team. Those leadership qualities are crucial as we focus on fighting for world championships again.”
Lovely words. But what Hamilton needs is a car worthy of Wolff’s opinion of him. Hamilton felt an opportunity to stretch Verstappen was missed at the season restart in Holland at a track more favourable to Mercedes, a series of poor calls in the wet stealing momentum.
The Red Bull is universally happy at all circuits it seems and having won in Monza last year, Verstappen will be looking to extend his streak to an unprecedented tenth successive win on Sunday. Mercedes will at least look to be best of the rest after Russell finished on the podium last year, two spots clear of Hamilton in fifth.
Hamilton is noticeably calmer this season, less truculent and more patient. The promise of a significant performance hike in 2024 has made it easier to accept the inferiority of the present car. The positive modelling in the factory was an obvious factor in agreeing terms, but not necessarily a deal breaker.
Hamilton had few options better than Mercedes, an association that began when he joined the Mercedes-powered McLaren’s driver development programme as a 13-year-old.
Furthermore, he is invested in the idea of a blue-chip manufacturer with a proven track record riding a cyclical trend back to the top.
“It’s having that confidence in each other that we are the best at what we do, and when we come together, and given time, we will get to where we need to be,” he said.
“I think in life there’s always up and downs. Last year was a difficult year. I’m pretty sure everyone was questioning whether they wanted to continue because it’s tough at the top and it’s such a tough sport.
“But that feeling quickly goes away and you put your mind and your energy into being the best you can be and dealing with the situations that you’re faced with.
“I’m really proud of what we achieved last year to get through it. We started on the wrong foot this year but we’re second in the constructors’ championship. The plan is to keep that and then close the gap to the guy ahead.”