NathanOlder wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:54 am
raymondu999 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:22 am
Kingshark wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:07 am
No, Hamilton’s hand is weaker now than during his last contract extension in 2018 because;
1. Mercedes is more dominant now than they were in 2018, so they need him less
2. Hamilton is three years older now than he was then
3. Mercedes have a cheap young driver who has already shown what he can do in a Mercedes
4. COVID
I would be amazed if Daimler increase his salary. Let’s wait and see.
I agree. “Morally” — you might think hiring Lewis now has more value given he has more titles and wins than his last contract extension. But Mercedes (the car company) imo has in the past been very strict business numbers oriented — very stereotypically German, in a sense — and they will see that because their car is so dominant then it doesn’t “require” a Lewis. A B or B+ driver would be “enough”
For example, if we eliminate Lewis out of this year’s results, and elevate every one 1 spot behind him in races by a spot, Bottas would have been “enough” to be champion. In fact the points gap between Verstappen and Bottas would increase (I did the sums in a spreadsheet some time back but I forgot where. Could be interesting to post as a thread some time if i can find it).
Hence — they don’t “need” a Lewis — they only need someone to be “just” as good as Bottas — whatever level he may be — to secure a title double.
May sound cruel to not offer a 7wdc more pay than you offer a 6(or less)wdc — but that is the harsh truth of business
Just had a quick look, and I make it Max gains 46pts and Bottas gains 47pts. So no change in results, you are correct. But considering Max had 5 retirements and Bottas had 1, It could and maybe should have been Max in 2nd place. A 10pt gap isn't big enough with 4 (3 if you add Silverstones non score for Bottas) extra non finishes for Max considering nearly every time he finshed, it was on the podium, so 10pts Bottas had were uselsess.
I would say looking at that, and the last 4 years as a whole. Mercedes do need Hamilton enough to pay him a big wage.
Don't forget the hype that will come if Lewis gets 8 titles, Merc will love that. Plus if he does get 2021 in the bag it means he also has 5 in a row like Michael did too , so another record equalled. More publicity .
This just goes to show how mediocre a drive Bottas is imho. Russell came in and bested him on his first attempt, so there's plenty of drivers capeable to secure the championship in that car. (in before Russell is the best thing ever now and not compareable to any top drivers with plenty of experience)
Also I see people arguing that Hamilton is the best marketing value ever and worth every penny of >=50Million. But at the same time it seems to be a well known fact that he doesnt want/like to do promo stuff? Which one is it then? Can't have both.
Mercedes' biggest competitors, BMW and Audi just announced leaving FE for COVID related economic reasons and I cant see them justify paying a premium just to have Hamilton cruise to another championship when the car is that dominant.
Imo Lewis should agree to whatever Mercedes offers and enjoy his WDC record. This is a buyers market and not the time to be greedy. Imagine him losing his seat (and record) over this. Just doesnt make sense.