Warning for Hamilton: ''Thinking you're irreplaceable is risky''
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Lewis Hamilton has only signed on for one year with Mercedes and that raises a lot of questions. Damon Hill understands the choice of his fellow countryman, but warns him not to take too many risks.
Retirement of Hamilton
It took a very long time for Hamilton's contract extension to be announced. It wasn't until February of 2021 that it was officially announced that Hamilton would be in action for Mercedes for another year. A one-year deal was agreed between the two parties, which Hill says is not crazy with Hamilton's age.
"Lewis is in this position where he can pick and choose. As he's acknowledged, he's coming up to the end-game. He knows he could race if he wanted to for a long time yet, but he's not sure. Being bound to a contract that goes beyond a certain number of years, you don't know how you are going to feel when it comes to the crunch," Hill said to Autocar.
Verstappen lurks in the wings
However, the 1996 world champion does have a warning for Hamilton.
"But we saw what happened with Michael [Schumacher] at Ferrari where you think 'they'll wait for me'. The trouble is Mercedes won't and can't. That's the trap, and I'd be wary of it. Assuming you are indispensable is risky."
"It's more of a problem for Mercedes, isn't it? They have to set up their ducks in a row for the future. Verstappen has been very loyal to Red Bull, but if they can't provide the competitiveness he needs… Time is ticking. He was the youngest F1 winner back in 2016, but he hasn't been able to fight for a championship yet. That will be in his mind," Hill concluded.