Some will say Lewis Hamilton has done the dirty on his Mercedes team by making an approach to rivals Red Bull. But has he really?
Whatever they say publicly, every driver in the pit lane is talking to every team and they are talking back. Hamilton has denied the claims by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, but it only makes sense the English driver has explored his options.
A driver’s manager wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t know what seats are available and what interest exists in his driver. It’s only due diligence and the cut throat commercial reality of Formula One.
Everyone is trying to get the best deal they can. All the time. The racing often stops but the negotiating never does.
If all was cosy in the land of the Silver Arrows, Hamilton would have signed his renewal years ago instead of letting it run up to the 11th hour.
Even after winning seven championships together he wanted to squeeze a better deal out of Mercedes. And Mercedes would not have ditched Valtteri Bottas for rookie George Russell and given the Englishman equal treatment if Hamilton was their only concern.
Russell is a hell of a driver and was always going to be a competitive headache for Hamilton. But team boss Toto Wolff could not afford to find himself suddenly without a top line pilot if Hamilton retired or switched teams.
I guarantee you he knows exactly how much triple world champion Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso are paid too, and if they are open to switching teams. All the top team bosses do.
The world is stunned when such revelations surface but isn’t it just good business?
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Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff waves to the crowd at the Mercedes GP Team Photo during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images -
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing arrives at the circuit on the first day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National -
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell look on at the Mercedes GP Team Photo during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images -
Spanish Formula One driver Carlos Sainz of Ferrari talks to the media ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. EPA -
Daniel Ricciardo of AlphaTauri talks to the media in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Getty Images -
F1 drivers, left to right, Daniel Ricciardo, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Kevin Magnussen, Logan Sargeant attend a press conference ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. EPA -
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing during the first day press conference, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Victor Besa / The National -
Daniel Ricciardo of AlphaTauri, left, and George Russell of Mercedes during the first day press conference, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Victor Besa / The National -
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Red Bull Racing looks on in the Paddock. Getty Images -
Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and AlphaTauri talks to the media. Getty Images -
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, left, and Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen attend a press conference. AFP -
Lance Stroll of Aston Martin during the first day press conference, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Victor Besa / The National -
Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali arrives at Yas Marina Circuit. Reuters -
Mercedes' George Russell during the press conference. Reuters -
Williams' Logan Sargeant during the press conference. Reuters -
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc signs an autograph for a fan ahead of the grand prix. Reuters -
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc during the press conference. Reuters -
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen share a laugh during a press conference. AFP -
Pierre Gasly of Alpine during an interview with the press, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Victor Besa / The National
