Lewis Hamilton’s pre-2021 contract negotiations with Toto Wolff will be about “money”. That is the view of F1 legend Gerhard Berger, who says George Russell’s highly impressive substitute drive in an ill Hamilton’s place in Bahrain gave Mercedes boss Wolff more chips to play with. “Russell showed that the primary factor is the car, as he was immediately in the lead in the race. But Russell has already shown what he can do with a Williams as well,” Berger added. As for the rumours that Wolff might be able to slot Russell alongside Hamilton for 2021, Berger says the only problem with that is the existing contracts.

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