Jenson Button believes Lewis Hamilton is stalling on a new Mercedes deal since of fears more than their new motor vehicle… and admits he is relishing the battle involving the seven-time entire world champion and workforce-mate George Russell
The new System 1 period is set to get underway in Bahrain this weekend Lewis Hamilton is nevertheless to increase his Mercedes agreement which expires this yearJenson Button thinks Hamilton is stalling right up until he sees how their vehicle performs
Jenson Button thinks Lewis Hamilton is keeping off on committing to a new offer with Mercedes until eventually he sees how aggressive they will be this period.
Hamilton, 38, who is chasing a file eighth globe championship title in advance of retirement, is still to pen an extension to his recent deal which expires at the end of 2023.
Mercedes have been insisting that a new multi-yr offer is a formality ever considering the fact that the end of final year.
Group principal Toto Wolff reported last month it was just a dilemma of ‘sticking our heads with each other, wrestling a bit, and then leaving the room with white smoke just after a handful of hours’.
Even so, at the launch of Mercedes’ new automobile previously this month, Wolff was then unwilling to commit to a precise time-body for the signing of a new deal.
Jenson Button thinks his former McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton is keeping off on committing to a new deal with Mercedes right until he sees how competitive they will be this period
The 38-12 months-aged is nevertheless to pen an extension irrespective of speculation that a new offer is imminent
And Button, who won the environment championship back in 2009 and was a previous staff-mate of Hamilton’s at McLaren for a few decades from 2010-2012, experienced a theory as to why he has not nonetheless signed an extension.
‘It has to be that (seeking to know how competitive they are this season) ideal?’, he told The Telegraph.
‘Why or else would you go away it this late? He understands how troublesome we all are inquiring [about the contract].
‘I mean, we’ve got to question the concern. But he’s likely to dislike answering it more than and over and over and more than yet again. It can only be due to the fact he is asking yourself how aggressive they will be.’
Mercedes had a mixed functionality all through a a few-day screening in Bahrain final week and Button insisted this is only probable to hold off Hamilton’s decision.
He additional: ‘Is he likely to signal if the automobile is uncompetitive because he would like it to be fast yet again before he retires?
‘Or is he considering “If it can be not better, I am just likely to retire.” Who understands?’
Button also claimed Pink Bull are the favourites for this season’s Constructors’ Championship, but that he was energized to check out the struggle among Mercedes team-mates Hamilton and George Russell.
The 43-calendar year-outdated explained: ‘I consider it truly is a terrific struggle. You know, they’re equally so gifted. One’s clearly bought additional entire world championships than everyone else.
‘But George, you know, he’s just wonderful, he seriously is. In phrases of his driving, in conditions of his engineering abilities. I believe he’s a great expertise.’
Button thinks Hamilton (3rd from appropriate) has anxieties about Mercedes’ car for the new season
Button also insisted he is thrilled for the battle concerning Russell and Hamilton this time
Russell gained 35 much more factors than Hamilton during the 2022 time and picked up Mercedes’ only victory past season at the Brazil GP in Sao Paulo.
On the other hand, Button totally expects the obstacle to be more durable for the promising Russell this 12 months.
He spelled out: ‘First year, it’s straightforward since you can find no true pressure on your shoulders. Nobody expects you to beat Lewis Hamilton.
‘But next 12 months in, it is like “Now we’re gonna see what you can do.” So I’m hunting ahead to viewing that. They’re both with any luck , likely to be preventing for wins.’