Lewis Hamilton should be wary of Mercedes using Eddie Jordan’s advice and taking their contract offer off the table. The Brit has yet to sign a new deal for the 2021 season and negotiations are rumbling on behind the scenes. George Russell is a realistic alternative for Toto Wolff to consider should they listen to the ex-F1 boss’ comments.
Mercedes are the only F1 team which technically still has a seat available for the upcoming campaign.
Valtteri Bottas is tied down for a further 12 months but Hamilton has yet to commit his future.
It is thought negotiations between Hamilton and Mercedes are difficult because of the seven-time world champion’s salary demands.
Former F1 boss Jordan advised Toto Wolff to axe Hamilton if he does not agree to the Silver Arrows’ reduced conditions.
“Apparently the parties disagree on the terms,” Jordan told F1 Insider. “I just heard that Lewis wants more than Mercedes is willing to pay.
“It’s also about sharing the team’s income and having an influential role in the Mercedes group.
“If I were the boss of Daimler, I would show him the door: Either you drive on our terms or you go.”
Mercedes are in a strong position because there are no other vacant seats for Hamilton to search for.
The 36-year-old is also looking to pull away from Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles and this year will be his best change.
F1 is introducing a series of rule changes from 2022 which could throw the Championship wide open again.
So Hamilton needs to do everything he can to ensure he is in the most dominant car this year – even if it means accepting a pay cut on his £40million-a-year deal.
Mercedes have options at their disposal.
Even though Valtteri Bottas is not expected to be a serious world title contender, he still finished second in the Drivers’ Championship last term, meaning he could still bring home the trophy for the Silver Arrows.
Hamilton’s unlikely departure could also pave the way for Russell to earn a move from Williams.
The 22-year-old is under contract until the end of the year but it would not be hard for Mercedes to strike a deal for a pre-season transfer.
Russell impressed while deputising for Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix and should have won the race but for a pit-stop mix-up and late puncture.