Brackley, England: Until now, only the Mercedes AMG Petronas team has yet to determine their final racer for the Formula One (F1) season of 2021. Mercedes has only secured one racer; Valterri Bottas.
In fact, the other team has confirmed the two drivers who will finish in F1 2021 season, in which the first race will fall on March 28, 2021. The inaugural race will also take place at the Sakhir Circuit, Bahrain.
By looking at the schedule of the inaugural race and considering that it is now February, Mercedes should have determined the racer who will join Bottas. However, until now, Mercedes has not announced it either.
The strongest candidate is clearly their flagship racer in recent years, the one and only; Lewis Hamilton. However, for some reason, Mercedes and Hamilton have yet to agree on a new contract.
The collaboration between Hamilton and Mercedes actually ended after F1 2020. However, with current conditions, it is certain that the two parties might actually return to unite to face the F1 2021 season.
At least according to an F1 observer from England, Craig Slater, Mercedes will announce whether they will continue with Hamilton or not in March 2021. Because on March 2, 2021, Mercedes will show their latest car livery.
Of course, it was a little strange that Hamilton had not participated in the event if they would end up working together. It was even stranger if they had not agreed to cooperate, but Hamilton was suddenly present at the launch event.
So, that’s how Slater thinks it is likely that Hamilton’s future announcement will be answered at the end of February 2021. In fact, it could be faster.
“The point is of course not referring to the opening Grand Prix (GP), but the pre-season test (when asked about when Hamilton would join Mercedes again). It means that they have time until March 11 to complete the contract, “said Slater, quoted by Motorsport”
“However, Mercedes will release a new car on March 2. They say the racers are participating. So, it is surprising that Hamilton has not signed a contract at that time (but is present),” he concluded.
