LEWIS CHASES £45m
Champion wants huge pay rise at Mercedes
IT is not entirely right to say Lewis Hamilton is only driving for pride and the records of Michael schumacher.
As one rival team principal estimated privately yesterday, the world champion’s next contract at Mercedes could make him Formula One’s first $60million driver.
That equates to about £45m a year — up from £32m — and concentrates the mind when the season’s prizes have already been handed out.
Hamilton continues to field questions about his future coquettishly — but behind his contradictory answers, the truth is surely that he wants to stay at Mercedes on terms that would bring a smile to any offshore accountant.
All the Briton’s emotional ties are drawn to the local legend whose burial down the road is marked by a simple brass plaque: Ayrton senna da silva. And, accordingly, he was presented earlier this week with a portrait of the Brazilian painted by street artist Eduardo Kobra.
He also met senna’s sister Viviane, who keeps the family fame alive, 23 years after the three-time champion died in san Marino, through the charitable institute that takes his name. Hamilton talked of her aura being like senna’s, though, to his regret, he only caught the magic of his persona on TV.
Hamilton, who donated the artwork he was given to the senna institute, said: ‘i always hoped i would get the chance to meet Ayrton, but i missed him by a couple of years at the Autosport Awards, and the closest i can get is to his mum and his sister.
‘His sister is such a warm, loving person. it is great to have that love and support from someone close to him. she said some wonderful words about me, so i really appreciate that. He inspired me. i wanted to do what he did.’
Hamilton has achieved that in numerical terms, the fourth title he won in Mexico City a fortnight ago putting him one ahead of the Brazilian’s three.
Only Juan Manuel Fangio, with five titles, and Michael schumacher, on seven and a record 91 wins, stand ahead of him. Hamilton remains on course to threaten the German’s pinnacles, being the same age, 32, as schumacher was when he won the fourth of his titles.
‘i can continue winning for a long, long time,’ said Hamilton, who led a smothering Mercedes one-two in both practice sessions yesterday for tomorrow’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
‘i guess it depends if the fight remains within me. it is still there now, but i don’t have a desire to chase Michael, although i am a lot closer than i ever was. i’m grateful to be up there and among the real, real greats — not only among them, but standing up there with them. i have at least one more year in me, maybe more.’
Although Hamilton will be the only Briton on the grid tomorrow, a couple of pretenders are being prepared for a shot at the top.
There is Lando Norris, a highlyrated talent under McLaren’s wing, while yesterday George Russell, a 19-year-old hopeful from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, took part in practice. A Mercedes young driver, he was 12th quickest for Force india, 1.8sec off Hamilton but a very respectable half a second behind Esteban Ocon in the same car.
‘if a race seat becomes available i am ready,’ said Russell, a 6ft 2in beanstalk who is, in fact, signed up to Formula Two for next season.
‘Doing practice was a big step up, but i prepared very well on the simulator at Mercedes.’
His final destination? ‘My aim is to be world champion,’ he said.