Does Mercedes need Lewis now ?

[entropy]

antspants said:

I think Mercedes and Lewis are both well aware of the value having the potentially record breaking 8x WDC driving a Mercedes whilst doing it is to the company. I doubt one race by a driver already widely touted to be taking one of the seats in 2022 will have any impact on Lewis's contract negotiations.

ch37 makes a good point but I have to agree with antpants. Lewis is at his peak and transcends the sport. This is a reason why Max became Golden Boy at RBR because of the Max Verstappen Effect eg. the sea of oranje at the Red Bull Ring; just in 2007 there was talk of the Lewis Hamilton Effect; Bernie wanting Mansell back in F1 in 1994.

Certainly the negotiations will be close.

[Fundoreen]

Most advocating go cheap must subscribe to the williams philosophy of maintaining success.
Hot news is that Lewis is racing this weekend.

[mattikake]

Really? Something I thought I'd never say at that news but, bugger.

[neverlifted]

Still think what Lewis achieved in 2007 and 2008 was more impressive than anything he has done since, they were exceptional performances. Since then, at least Rosberg made Lewis make an effort, winning every race when you're expected to win is great, but hardly exciting. This doesn't detract from Lewis being one of the best ever, even Lewis has often called out that he wants more of a challenge.

Yes, Merc absolutely still need him; they need Russell more than Bottas though imo- for the sake of the sport if nothing else.