Lewis Hamilton contract demand includes 'special clauses' as replacement made to wait

Lewis Hamilton has asked for a unique clause in his new Mercedes contract as he plans to stay in F1 until the age of 40, according to a new report.

The seven-time world champion was previously unsure about racing into his 40s.

Speaking in an interview with Correire della Sera in 2021, he said: "I honestly hope I'm not racing at 40. There are so many things I want to do that it would be difficult.

"But in life the evolution is so fast that it can surprise you."

Now 38 years of age, Hamilton is currently involved in his 17th season in F1 - and is the second-oldest driver on the grid behind 41-year-old Fernando Alonso.

Hamilton's current Mercedes contract expires at the end of this year, and there had been speculation over whether the Brit would choose to extend it, given his team's poor start to the 2023 season.

But team principal Toto Wolff told Sky Sports this week that he hopes a new deal for Hamilton will be agreed before the Canadian Grand Prix, which takes place on Sunday.

And a new report has given details of what the new contract could look like, as well as a special 'clause' that the F1 legend is said to have demanded.

Hamilton 'demands special contract clause'

According to the Daily Mail, it is believed that Hamilton has asked to become the highest-earning driver on the grid, beyond the £40m-per-year that Red Bull's Max Verstappen earns.

Furthermore, the report claims that Hamilton has asked for a multi-year contract, which would take him beyond 40. Both Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen have continued their career into their 40s in recent years.

But another intriguing claim is that Hamilton has requested the insertion of another 'special' clause into his contract, which would see him become a Mercedes ambassador once he does retire from the sport.

The Brit has raced for two teams throughout his F1 career, having spent five years at McLaren between 2007 and 2012.

He won his first world championship with McLaren, finishing one point ahead of title rival Felipe Massa after a hugely dramatic season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix in 2008.