Hamilton denies arguing with Mercedes over money
Lewis Hamilton has rejected speculation that he is arguing about the monetary value of his next contract with Mercedes.
Reports have suggested that Mercedes is offering the new six-time world champion about $50 million a year for 2021 and 2022, with Hamilton firing back with a $66m counter-offer.
The 35-year-old denies it.
"Toto (Wolff) and I have not even spoken about the contract yet," Hamilton said on social media.
"Nothing is being negotiated currently, papers are making up stories."
Indeed, staying at Mercedes makes sense for Hamilton, as Red Bull and Ferrari have already signed up Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc on long-term deals.
But speculation the Mercedes works team could be sold and rebranded as Aston Martin for 2021 could be a complication that re-fires rumours of a switch to Ferrari for Hamilton.
Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko this week suggested that only Ferrari would be willing to pay Hamilton what he is reportedly demanding.
"I believe that no team, not even Mercedes, will be willing to spend such sums on a driver. Maybe Ferrari," he told Auto Bild.
Speaking to the Italian magazine Autosprint, Ferrari's sporting boss Laurent Mekies puts Hamilton in the same category as Verstappen and Leclerc.
"They are all exceptional talents, that is clear," he said.
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I hope it's not true, is a million a week really not enough Lewis?
All that garbage about keeping in touch with his fans, most of his fans won't see a million in their lifetimes.
Don't go on about danger, some of the the Asian guys are working in hell holes that have never even heard of H&S and are at risk 365 24/7.
That sort of greed from him is good for George and Lando etc.
I'm inclined to take HAM's word on contract talks. The media has a tendency to create stories where there are none. Gossip is fun, and creates clicks, but it is not always well founded.
Don't believe everything you read, papers need to think of something to write about that will get people's attention. I don't think Hamilton is wanting what they say but he should be paid the most in comparison to the rest of the grid due to his talent and results even though he is in the best car he is producing results no one can challenge and earning Mercedes millions in return. If wages were worked out on performance and results he would be earning a lot more than $66 million. Everyone has their own opinion, personally I can understand the figures but believe all athletes at the top of their game are massively overpaid but that is just how it is and if someone is going to pay you that much you're not going to turn it down are you. Still a big Lewis fan and hope he carries on until he has every record under his belt
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