Age is just a number! Never count the age when there is still a masterpiece left to be made. Lewis Hamilton once said, ” I am working on a masterpiece, and I haven’t quite completed it yet.” Even if it takes 50 years! The seven-time world champion is ready. The current contract of Hamilton with Mercedes is ending in 2023. But as Mercedes and Hamilton love each other, they can be parted this soon. However, the team’s principal, Toto Wolff, has confirmed that the deal will extend. And now, confidential information too got leaked suggesting that Hamilton will continue his contract with Mercedes till he becomes fifty years old.
A report from Sportune confirms that Lewis Hamilton has been offered a two-year, $98 million contract by Mercedes, extending the current contract of 2023 till 2025. So, definitely, the upcoming Formula One season is not the last season for the Mercedes superstar driver. Soon after the disastrous 2022 season ended, Toto Wolff revealed the good news to fans that the current deal with Hamilton will be one of the top most priority for the team to be discussed this winter break.
Before Mercedes itself announces anything, the information has been leaked. So far, it has been rumored that Hamilton will be driving till 2025, and if he wins a championship, he will get a bonus of $ 27 million. Earlier, Hamilton’s salary was $38, but according to Sportune, negotiations took place and increased the amount.
Lewis Hamilton Will Retire Only After He Becomes A World Champion Again
In addition, Hamilton is all set to continue his commitment to supporting his Mission 44 foundations. In the new contract, the investment amount of $9 million has been increased to $16 million. At present, the deal extension has paved the way only till the forties. Now Hamilton is 38, and in 2025, he will become 40.
And after that age, no athlete wants to continue playing. So most probably, Hamilton will give thought if he wishes to continue after that or not. But this doesn’t mean that he will be leaving Formula One. After the 2025 season, Lewis Hamilton will be presented with a ten-year offer not to drive but to become the brand ambassador of Mercedes. He will be paid an extra $27 million then.
Meanwhile, one thing is very much clear, for Mercedes, 2023 will not go the same as 2022. This year the team will have a strong comeback as the W14 is coming with improved developments. Nevertheless, the Briton is not ending his career in 2023 because he has not yet become an eight-time world champion. After the disappointments faced in the last season, the seven-time world champion probably fears that he could not break his own record this season.
As a result, he admitted to accepting the extension in the deal. Hamilton wants to retire as a champion, he said to the New York Times. It has been two years since he won a championship. So until he does not claim the eighth or even more championships, he is not going to retire.