Lewis Hamilton is “surprised” at the driver’s salary cap

Lewis Hamilton He says he is “amazed” that Formula 1 is pressing ahead with its plans to introduce drivers’ maximum salaries from 2023.

Earlier this week it was reported that the team leaders had them It agreed to a maximum salary of 22 million pounds.

More details are now provided with reports that £ 22m is not a single driver, but the two salaries combined.

That’s far from the £ 35million season that Hamilton earns alone with teammate Valtteri Bottas who costs Mercedes just under £ 7m a year.

Hamilton says he is “surprised” that Formula 1 is going down this road, but insists that talking about a salary cap is not the reason why he has not signed a new deal with Mercedes.

“He has nothing to do with that,” said the six-time Formula One world champion. “I didn’t even know that was discussed.

“I think from the driver’s point of view it’s a surprise.

“Obviously, we heard about the idea some time ago. I think it was maybe last year in France, but it was the first that we heard about it this week.”

The 35-year-old hopes the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association will meet with Formula 1 presidents to discuss the matter before it is thrown in stone.

He added, “I think it’s important for GPDA to work closely with Formula 1 when we get into discussions moving forward.”

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Wolf who has it After sitting down with Hamilton To settle details of the new Mercedes contract, he admits that talking about the salary cap is “a very emotional thing”.

Mercedes’ head of motorsports says Formula 1 has to balance making the sport viable for teams while still attracting the best drivers in the world.

He said, “The discussion about this is a very emotional thing.”

“Formula One teams need to demonstrate profitability like any other company in existence.

“We all need to make it happen, but the drivers – and drivers in Formula 1 are the best in the world – should be paid as high as all other sports stars.”

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