If you were Merc negotiating Hamilton's next contract

[rubberduck]

Merc hold the aces. I would offer him 10 million a year tops (2 year deal) and if he doesn't like it he can retire and GR can come in. Merc should make the offer public. He has plenty of money so it would be Lolcopter if Ham had to explain to his fans on social media that he will no longer be competing as it isn't worth his time racing for 10 mill. Apparently his real motivation is making the world a better place so he should really accept the drive for very little money if true.

 

[ScoobyDoo69]

Good thing you don't work for Merc then eh?

Sheesh - so many people want to rain on Hamilton's parade. Get off the hater train

 

[MrKnifey]

Hard to have a discussion with you as we all know your hatred for Hamiton, however lets be realistic, if a deal cannot be reached and they get someone else in its more than likely going to be a Mercedes winning the constructors, drivers could be a little more difficult. If another team has a season like 2017 where vettle was pretty close, Mercedes could well lost the drivers title if it was left to Bottas.. Then what does that make them look like? Idiots..

 

[MrKnifey]

Also, Bottas didnt win a SINGLE race in 2018, he was very nearly beaten to 2nd in the drivers title this year. Someone new coming to Mercedes isnt going to jump in and win every race. Russell is good, but the race he entered is a joker track, its pretty much the easiest track they have ever run! It isnt going to be the same scenario at every round. Worse will be is if Bottas and someone else are closely matched and start taking points off each other, further opening the door to someone else claiming the drivers title.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

Merc will give him pretty much anything he asks for as he’s good for at least one more WDC and any half decent #2 driver will add enough points to get the constructors title in 2021.

 

[Stumble Bum]

Hamilton needs Mercedes an awful lot more than Mercedes need Hamilton. I think it would be wise to cut his salary quite a bit. Especially given the pandemic has probably impacted teams finances somewhat. Mercedes have first pick at any driver they want. No point spending £40mil a year just for Hamilton.

 

[rubberduck]

Good thing you don't work for Merc then eh?

Sheesh - so many people want to rain on Hamilton's parade. Get off the hater train

How is offering someone 10 million a year and the best car on the grid Hamilton hating?

 

[Steampunk]

Merc hold the aces. I would offer him 10 million a year tops (2 year deal) and if he doesn't like it he can retire and GR can come in. Merc should make the offer public. He has plenty of money so it would be Lolcopter if Ham had to explain to his fans on social media that he will no longer be competing as it isn't worth his time racing for 10 mill. Apparently his real motivation is making the world a better place so he should really accept the drive for very little money if true.

Mercedes have the best car, they want the proven best driver. Hamilton on board also gives a massive marketing advantage. Since they got Hamilton and the social media youth, Mercedes has gone from being a fuddy-duddy car bought by old men and middle-eastern taxi drivers to a high end sports car brand coveted by everyone. Hamilton may be an expensive driver, but that doesn't matter if he's making them that money back many times over in wins and marketing publicity.

What happens if Ferrari or Red Bull produce a good car this year or next, and they offer Hamilton 20 or 30 mil to drive it - and Hamilton wins? Mercedes are gonna look pretty dumb then. The Mercedes car is good, but Hamilton is what gives them the edge that has brought so many wins, so many WDC and WCC championships.

 

[Syla5]

Hamilton needs Mercedes an awful lot more than Mercedes need Hamilton. I think it would be wise to cut his salary quite a bit. Especially given the pandemic has probably impacted teams finances somewhat. Mercedes have first pick at any driver they want. No point spending £40mil a year just for Hamilton.

You completely overlook the exposure value that Hamilton provides to Mercedes. As does the OP. The marketing value benefit and access and support to critical world issues provide significant poisitive value to Merc, as well as the other team sponsors. Many of those sponsors are likely happy to pay more to be with Merc just because Hamilton is their driver for example.

Its also completely overlooking the unseen to fans impact that Hamilton has on the team. If you stuck 2 midfield drivers in the car tomorrow, they may win in the first year but they likely wouldnt be able to steer the development course in the right direction, and influence the team in ways these top drivers can. Then you are also overlooking the desire of other staff who want to work with these top drivers being drawn to the team. You have to wonder was the conversations with James Allison about getting him on board easier because Hamilton was their driver?

So many short sighted fans who dont seem to comprehend the overall value of a driver. The same goes for many top drivers. They dont get paid mega bucks just because they are fast, its everything else that goes with it.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

Merc are in a tricky situation... they've laid off 10,000+ jobs (some sources say it's closer to 15,000) and Hamilton is (allegedly) demanding mega money plus a revenue share of any championship winnings.

As much as I think the best team needs the best driver, I think there should be a line in the sand and wouldn't at all be surprised if both parties need to compromise.

https://www.businessinsider.nl/merc...ler-reportedly-planning-15000-layoffs-2020-2/

 

[Stumble Bum]

You completely overlook the exposure value that Hamilton provides to Mercedes. As does the OP. The marketing value benefit and access and support to critical world issues provide significant poisitive value to Merc, as well as the other team sponsors. Many of those sponsors are likely happy to pay more to be with Merc just because Hamilton is their driver for example.

Its also completely overlooking the unseen to fans impact that Hamilton has on the team. If you stuck 2 midfield drivers in the car tomorrow, they may win in the first year but they likely wouldnt be able to steer the development course in the right direction, and influence the team in ways these top drivers can. Then you are also overlooking the desire of other staff who want to work with these top drivers being drawn to the team. You have to wonder was the conversations with James Allison about getting him on board easier because Hamilton was their driver?

So many short sighted fans who dont seem to comprehend the overall value of a driver. The same goes for many top drivers. They dont get paid mega bucks just because they are fast, its everything else that goes with it.

Sorry but you are massively overvaluing the value of Hamilton. Pick any driver on the grid and they would move to Mercedes in a heartbeat and I bet they would all be far far far cheaper than £40mil a year. That is a ludicrous amount to pay when you have such a dominant car.

You are completely ignoring the amazing talent in the rest of the field. Put Max in that car and see what he can do. Charles Le Clerc? easy title win. They would all move for a paycut if it meant being in the Mercedes.

You say that Hamilton adds so much value to Mercedes and sponsors. Does he? He's probably the most hated driver on the grid and very Marmite. Some love him, many hate him. I wouldn't want that as a sponsor.

And as previously said, Mercedes NEED to balance the books, jobs are going from Mercedes, how can you turn around and give Hamilton £40 mil or more when you could get a Max, Charles, Danny, George for far less. Try justifying that one to the Daimler bosses.

Mercedes if anything have been a victim of their own success. They are stale now. No-one is that fussed if they win another world title, they're expected to, but did you see the interest in F1 and Mercedes when George Russell was allowed to race just once. They need a fresh face in there.

Either cut Hamilton's pay if they want to stick with him or get rid. Both options would benefit Mercedes in my opinion.

 

[rubberduck]

Sorry but you are massively overvaluing the value of Hamilton. Pick any driver on the grid and they would move to Mercedes in a heartbeat and I bet they would all be far far far cheaper than £40mil a year. That is a ludicrous amount to pay when you have such a dominant car.

You are completely ignoring the amazing talent in the rest of the field. Put Max in that car and see what he can do. Charles Le Clerc? easy title win. They would all move for a paycut if it meant being in the Mercedes.

You say that Hamilton adds so much value to Mercedes and sponsors. Does he? He's probably the most hated driver on the grid and very Marmite. Some love him, many hate him. I wouldn't want that as a sponsor.

And as previously said, Mercedes NEED to balance the books, jobs are going from Mercedes, how can you turn around and give Hamilton £40 mil or more when you could get a Max, Charles, Danny, George for far less. Try justifying that one to the Daimler bosses.

Mercedes if anything have been a victim of their own success. They are stale now. No-one is that fussed if they win another world title, they're expected to, but did you see the interest in F1 and Mercedes when George Russell was allowed to race just once. They need a fresh face in there.

Either cut Hamilton's pay if they want to stick with him or get rid. Both options would benefit Mercedes in my opinion.

Great post, I am sure the usual suspects will be along shortly to accuse you of Hamilton hating.

 

[Tenzo]

Sorry but you are massively overvaluing the value of Hamilton. Pick any driver on the grid and they would move to Mercedes in a heartbeat and I bet they would all be far far far cheaper than £40mil a year. That is a ludicrous amount to pay when you have such a dominant car.

You are completely ignoring the amazing talent in the rest of the field. Put Max in that car and see what he can do. Charles Le Clerc? easy title win. They would all move for a paycut if it meant being in the Mercedes.

You say that Hamilton adds so much value to Mercedes and sponsors. Does he? He's probably the most hated driver on the grid and very Marmite. Some love him, many hate him. I wouldn't want that as a sponsor.

And as previously said, Mercedes NEED to balance the books, jobs are going from Mercedes, how can you turn around and give Hamilton £40 mil or more when you could get a Max, Charles, Danny, George for far less. Try justifying that one to the Daimler bosses.

Mercedes if anything have been a victim of their own success. They are stale now. No-one is that fussed if they win another world title, they're expected to, but did you see the interest in F1 and Mercedes when George Russell was allowed to race just once. They need a fresh face in there.

Either cut Hamilton's pay if they want to stick with him or get rid. Both options would benefit Mercedes in my opinion.

I think you undervalue the Hamilton effect, especially in 2021. Probably the most complete driver on the grid, current world champion and huge worldwide/media presence. Now has the potential to become the most successful driver of all time in their car, which is massive marketing value for Mercedes.

That's the value that his salary supports - the leadership, experience and the extra bit of magic he can bring will be up there with the best in the paddock, but then coupled with the huge value that Mercedes can extract from an 8 time world champion.

As for other drivers - there is a lot of talent on the grid, but the best of it is under current contract. 2022 sees rule changes, which may end Mercedes dominance, so the desire to jump ship may be less than you think.

So I think there is negotiation for both sides - Mercedes do not hold all the chips.

 

[Junglist]

They both depend on each other for the success. Without a Hamilton level driver in their car the chances are they would've lost 2017 and 2018 to Ferrari/Vettel.

They probably benefit from having in the car as he is the most popular person on the grid at the moment. That would be worth it for marketing alone.

Then there is the experience he brings to the team. How many times this season alone did he override the teams orders for it to be the right call in the end? There was an interview with Toto where he expressed that Hamilton demanded the engineers went in a different direction they thought was the right way to go. They thought Hamilton was in the wrong but it turns out he was correct and it unlocked further potential of the car.

The sensible option for both parties is to come together.

 

[deuse]

Mercedes have the best car, they want the proven best driver. Hamilton on board also gives a massive marketing advantage. Since they got Hamilton and the social media youth, Mercedes has gone from being a fuddy-duddy car bought by old men and middle-eastern taxi drivers to a high end sports car brand coveted by everyone. Hamilton may be an expensive driver, but that doesn't matter if he's making them that money back many times over in wins and marketing publicity.

What happens if Ferrari or Red Bull produce a good car this year or next, and they offer Hamilton 20 or 30 mil to drive it - and Hamilton wins? Mercedes are gonna look pretty dumb then. The Mercedes car is good, but Hamilton is what gives them the edge that has brought so many wins, so many WDC and WCC championships.

Russell proved that not to be the case.

No one is worth $40 mil a year.

I would give me $10 mil or he can walk then get Russell for $4 mil.

 

[Junglist]

Russell proved that not to be the case.

No one is worth $40 mil a year.

I would give me $10 mil or he can walk then get Russell for $4 mil.

Russell doesn't have the experience Hamilton has and for the example I put above - he may not have known that the car was going in the wrong direction and that could've stagnated Mercedes performance (which I suppose is better for the other teams)

I bet the 40m they pay him is pocket change to what he brings back with companies wanting their name with his/mercedes.

All Russell did was prove he was capable of matching Bottas on a bit of an outlier of a circuit - Still not taking anything away from was Russell did, he was fantastic that weekend

 

[Kenai]

People need to remember we're dealing with a world where Ricciardo got paid $20m to drive at Renault, Hamilton and Mercedes are not going to settle at $10m, not even close.

As a reminder, as good as we know he is - he has a career record of 7 race wins to Hamilton's 7 world championships.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I bet the 40m they pay him is pocket change to what he brings back with companies wanting their name with his/mercedes.

Tell that to the thousands they've recently had to make redundant.

Mercedes hold all the cards. If they turned around and said that they were paying a max of £10m this year, every driver on the grid would immediately drop anything else and take it. Because the opportunity of winning a championship far outweights the money.

You think Hamilton isn't desperate to win that almost guaranteed easy 8th championship. Heck, I bet he'd do it for free if Mercedes really stuck to their guns.

 

[Junglist]

Tell that to the thousands they've recently had to make redundant.

Not sure what Mercedes (unfortunately - I'm not saying this with a 'tough luck' attitude) having to make people redundant has to do with Hamilton. He does bring in a lot of external sponsorship and they do get money out of marketing for him. All in I think Daimler actually only spend about 40m once all the marketing money comes back in

For their F1 side of the business he is showing to be a wise investment regardless of what the arm-chair experts say

 

[deuse]

Russell doesn't have the experience Hamilton has and for the example I put above - he may not have known that the car was going in the wrong direction and that could've stagnated Mercedes performance (which I suppose is better for the other teams)

I bet the 40m they pay him is pocket change to what he brings back with companies wanting their name with his/mercedes.

All Russell did was prove he was capable of matching Bottas on a bit of an outlier of a circuit - Still not taking anything away from was Russell did, he was fantastic that weekend

Russell beat Bottas easy. And may I say Russell never asked the team to make bottas give way
Russell passed him on the outside as well.

1 day in that car and Russell was on par in my opinion.
Just imagine what he would be like once he knew where all the buttons was.

Merc are losing money.
Why do you think they have laid 1000s off? for the fun of it or to pay for Hamilton?