Formula 1: More Lewis Hamilton contract drama on the horizon?

Talks about a new deal for Lewis Hamilton with Mercedes for the 2022 Formula 1 season have already begun. Will that process go smoother than it did last year?

Before seven-time and four-time reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton signed a one-year deal to return to Mercedes for the 2021 Formula 1 season, there were all kinds of rumors about his future in the sport, or lack thereof, amid an offseason that seemingly featured nothing but contract drama.

It took over a month and a half after the 19th of 20 drivers was confirmed on this year’s grid before Hamilton became the 20th and final competitor to be announced.

For a time, Hamilton was actually no longer technically a member of Mercedes, as his previous contract expired at the beginning of January and he did not sign a new deal until the second week of February.

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Several reports indicated some pretty hefty contract demands from the 36-year-old Briton, demands Mercedes weren’t willing to cover, especially after seeing how George Russell performed as his replacement for last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit following Hamilton’s positive test for COVID-19.

The two sides eventually agreed on a one-year deal, interestingly putting them in the exact same situation they were in for all of last season again this season. Hamilton said that it was his decision to settle for only a one-year contract, though other reports contradicted that statement.

Nevertheless, he returned to the Silver Arrows for the 2021 season, and he has continued his dominant ways.

The 2021 season has actually seen his best four-race start to a season in his 15-year career, as he has won three races and finished runner-up in the other to open up a 14-point lead in the driver standings over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

As was inevitable, given the fact that he is again a pending free agent and the fact that Mercedes have several options on the table for their 2022 driver lineup, contract talks have already begun regarding next season.

Hamilton already indicated that he plans to be back in the 2022 season, and team principal Toto Wolff indicated the same after Hamilton publicized his stance.

Now Hamilton has gone into a bit more detail, reflecting on his contract talks for the 2021 season and how he wants to avoid a similar situation as far as waiting to solidify a deal for the 2022 season. Ideally, he wants to have a deal done by the August summer break.

Here is what Hamilton had to say after winning the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya two Sundays ago, according to Sky Sports F1.

"“We never want to be in the position that we were in in January, in February. It ruined my whole winter and I’m sure it wasn’t helpful for Toto’s, in terms of being out to be off and relaxed, so it felt like we didn’t really have much of a break.“I think we have to be sensible. Naturally we don’t have to rush anything, but I think we have to be sensible and start conversations. They’re very complex, it’s never a super simple procedure and so hopefully soon we can start, as long as it doesn’t interfere the actual job.“We still have 19 races to do but it would be great to get something in place before the [summer] break so then we could, again, be in that break and have a clear picture of the future.”"

Will Hamilton be back for a 10th consecutive season with Mercedes for the Formula 1 2022 season? Will he secure his eighth world championship, which would be his seventh with Mercedes and fifth in a row, in 2021?