German Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton in no mood to give away any new contract details at Hockenheim

A $40m annual salary for the next two years, one of his race cars to keep, his media obligations… Lewis Hamilton was giving no details away on Thursday afternoon at a sweltering Hockenheim, as he discussed his new two-year contract which was all but agreed either “before or after Monaco” – he couldn’t remember which.

He was also elusive about which other top team – Ferrari or Red Bull – had made an initial approach for his services. But it was as clear as it always has been that Mercedes were his number one choice, just as he was theirs.

“Toto [team boss Wolff) is a great human being and manager and it’s been great that our relationship has gone from strength to strength despite the usual ups and downs,” Hamilton said. “I really appreciate that he has been so patient. Not many people would have given me the time I’ve taken.”

That, he explained, was necessary because they did not speak every week initially, but every so often, and that he was so enjoying the process that he kept thinking of small things to adjust.

“That all showed the trust I have in Mercedes and them in me, and that neither of us was playing the other off against anyone else.”

This is his third contract with Mercedes but not, necessarily, his final one. “Personally, I wanted two years, because in F1 the shapes are shifting beyond 2021 and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. I’m sure I would still be with Mercedes, that’s not the issue. But commercially, everything could shift, so I didn’t want to paint myself into a corner from which I couldn’t move. So it was a strategic move.

“It’s impossible to say where I’ll be in two years’ time. What I can say is that I still feel pretty great and didn’t expect to be as excited as I was signing this new contract. When I was doing that I was thinking how there are so many reasons to remain part of this great sport, but who knows what things I’ll want from life in two years.”

One thing he says he isn’t thinking of is the possibility of winning seven titles, and thus matching Michael Schumacher.

“Seven is an unimaginable number and I don’t believe that you can expect just to keep winning titles every year.”

Nor does he believe in exacting revenge here on Sebastian Vettel for beating him on his home ground at Silverstone a fortnight ago.

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“I don’t have that type of mentality. I want to win here, and we haven’t won enough races this year. We have stumbled at times and even a small stumble is magnified because this year is so close.”

When somebody alluded to Vettel’s post-British GP comment about taking the British flag home to Maranello, he smiled. “I see that sort of comment as a weakness, the whole need to say something like that. We’ll just keep our heads down and focus on doing a better job across the board.”

Vettel, meanwhile, dismissed Hamilton’s subsequently-retracted suggestion after the British race that Ferrari had been employing “interesting tactics”, as Vettel had taken Valtteri Bottas out on the first lap in France and Kimi Raikkonen had done likewise to him in Britain.

“I’m not a big fan of getting more out of it than seems to be there,” the points leader said. “It was silly to say it, but it’s fine. We’re racing and we’ve all been there. It’s not great to get hit when you have done nothing wrong, and it’s human to express your opinion. It’s two weeks ago. We move on.”

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Both drivers are concerned that that is precisely what two of racing’s classic venues may be forced to do due to the cost of staging races. Most expect this to be the last German race, while Silverstone currently have agreement for one more year as they continue to negotiate a new contract.

“I think it would be a shame to lose German Grand Prix,” Vettel said.

“It is a race that has so much history, and we have four car manufacturers in Germany, we are a car nation. It’s probably due to the fact that whereas other nations are prepared to spend money to get a race, Germany is not ready to spend money to have GP and advertise racing and attract people to come here. That’s probably where problem is. I know the track here well, and the people who run it are working very hard to get people to come here, but it’s tough to make some money.

“Since Germany had a bad World Cup I hope people haven’t put their flags away yet but come here and wave them for Nico Hulkenberg and myself. I look forward to that. Literally we are half an hour away from where I was born and grew up, so this area means a lot to me and it would be great to have a good weekend. If the chance comes to win of course I want to, and if that helps the grand prix that would be a bonus. It would be great to come back next year or the year after.”

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“These are races we can’t lose,” Hamilton said. “They are part of our heritage. You see the British GP, you would be a fool to deny it to continue. I see it as a racing fan, it creates a buzz and an atmosphere for the weekend. And it does here, too. I hope the bosses that are running the thing realise that.”

This weekend promises anther big fight between Mercedes, on their home ground, and Ferrari, with Red Bull possibly waiting to pick up any pieces.

“I agree that the Mercedes was the fastest car in the last few races, but Silverstone was a match, qualifying within tenth,” Vettel suggested.

“It was great for us to win there, a place where we have been weak. But they were a bit stronger in the races before. We’ll see how things evolve here. We brought stuff to Silverstone which should work here too, it’s constantly evolving. We have a great car, and great potential to make it better.”

“Things are not always how they appear,” Hamilton observed enigmatically. “It’s great that it’s this close in F1. It’s great for the sport the way it is, and we need more championships like this.”

And he warned, “I have never been so confident and empowered by my team as I am right now. It’s exciting how things will unfold over the next few months.”