The challenges created by the pandemic brought out the best in Formula 1 last year. Those who run the series were forced to think on their feet as they cobbled together 17 European and Middle Eastern grands prix in half a year, some at new venues, some at those that hadn’t hosted for ages. Despite continued Mercedes-AMG and Lewis Hamilton domination, it was a fine season and a big achievement that it happened at all.
That resilience will be called on again in 2021 as the global health horrors continue. But having done it once, F1 should be equal to the task of creating further welcome (and safely organised) distraction to our depressing reality.
Already the original schedule of 23 races has been shuffled, with the Australian Grand Prix moving from its traditional March date to November, leaving Bahrain to get the racing under way on 28 March – we hope. Nothing can be guaranteed – not even the presence on the grid, it seems, of the newly knighted world champion. As I write, Sir Lewis Hamilton remains a significant TBC, having yet to agree new terms with Mercedes.
What drives Lewis?
Is it all about the money? Let’s be honest, everything in F1 is always about the money. But for racing drivers, avarice is rarely the only motivating factor, even if it’s said that Hamilton is asking for an obscene $75 million (£54.7m) a year. Rather, the number in front of the zeros represents a vital psychological marker of just how valued they feel within teams; and in a world populated by often brittle and surprisingly insecure egos, that counts for more than the admittedly mind-numbing sum they bank.
The Hamilton stand-off is also likely complicated by the revised structure of Mercedes’ F1 entry, which is now split between the brand’s parent company, Daimler; Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos business; and F1 team principal Toto Wolff. Given his hugely significant contribution to the team’s record-breaking run of seven world titles (and counting), Hamilton would be justified in seeking more than just a retainer to continue driving.
But he wouldn’t actually walk, would he? Not with a record eighth F1 title his for the taking, surely? Well, yes, he might, actually. At 36, he has made it clear that career numbers aren’t his key motivator. At this stage of his life, F1 still matters to him – but not on any terms. Wolff has restated his confidence that a deal will be done, but Hamilton remains a genuine doubt until it is. Meanwhile, George Russell, who made such an impact as super-sub in the Sakhir Grand Prix last year, is preparing for another season at Williams. We think.
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I think when you've been that successful at any sport and earned millions from it, you should be able to live of the interest alone quite comfortably, once your that wealthy, your looking for new challenges,and what does a near end of shelf life F1 Champ do then?I read that Hamilton's contract has a say in who is his number two, should that be right?, it even comes down to the theory, once your wealthy enough you don't need anymore money.
A few weird comments there, George has been signed up for Williams for some time, so "WE THINK" is a stupid comment, Lewis will not walk, he has said that already, many times, he wants and will stay, thats a given, its just whether they are willing, and able to pay what he is worth, albeit, £75 Million is an obscene amount of money, but nowhere near as obscene as the €555 MILLION for that ponsy footballer, NO ONE EVER is worth that sort of money, and it is not surprising that everyone is kicking off about it.
Can Alonso still hack it?
You'd better believe it! I think that he's lost nothing in terms of speed and two years doing other things will only make him a better more complete driver and therefore even more of a challenge to the others. if Alpine can make a fast car, Fred will do the rest.
They said this about Kimi, he had a few years out of F1, went and played at being a rally driver, got bored, got back into F1, and if the mood took him, he'd race for a while then finish mid field, same as Schumacher God bless him, Alonso?, have to wait n see.