close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Could Hamilton be pricing himself out of Mercedes?

Photo: © LAT Images

Could Hamilton be pricing himself out of Mercedes?

Marko suggests a move to Ferrari may be back on the cards

Helmut Marko says that Lewis Hamilton's wage demands are pricing him out of the Mercedes Formula One team and that only Ferrari could possibly afford the six-time champion.

With Ferrari locking Charles Leclerc into a long-term deal and Max Verstappen signing an extension at Red Bull, opportunities with other front running teams are few and far between for Hamilton.

Head of Red Bull's driver development program, Marko told Autobild that, while he recognises the value, both in the car and in terms of marketing, the €55million-a-year wage demands of Hamilton are too steep even for an F1 team.

"Lewis is a six-time world champion and very important to Mercedes in both sport and marketing," Marko told Autobild.

"I think he realises very well what his value is and that he is asking for such compensation. With the bonuses he receives for a GP victory, I think he can certainly reach that sum of money."

The Austrian added, "I believe there is not a single team on the grid, not even Mercedes, that is willing to pay such amounts purely for a driver. Except Ferrari."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: NLS2 Race times and positions

Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: NLS2 Race times and positions

  • 7 minutes ago
Aston Martin crisis at risk of spiralling as FIA weigh up engine decision

Aston Martin crisis at risk of spiralling as FIA weigh up engine decision

  • 1 hour ago
'Love in the air?': F1 insider reveals reason for Lewis Hamilton resurgence

'Love in the air?': F1 insider reveals reason for Lewis Hamilton resurgence

  • 2 hours ago
Adrian Newey thwarts Christian Horner’s F1 return

Adrian Newey thwarts Christian Horner’s F1 return

  • 3 hours ago
Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: NLS2 Qualifying times and grid order

Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: NLS2 Qualifying times and grid order

  • Today 18:52
Why is F1 champion Max Verstappen driving for Mercedes this weekend?

Why is F1 champion Max Verstappen driving for Mercedes this weekend?

  • Today 17:59

Just in

22:55
Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: NLS2 Race times and positions
21:59
Aston Martin crisis at risk of spiralling as FIA weigh up engine decision
20:52
'Love in the air?': F1 insider reveals reason for Lewis Hamilton resurgence
19:47
Adrian Newey thwarts Christian Horner’s F1 return
18:52
Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: NLS2 Qualifying times and grid order
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Aston Martin bombshell drops as F1 team principal exit announced Latest F1 News

Aston Martin bombshell drops as F1 team principal exit announced

Today 16:24
Max Verstappen Nurburgring LIVE: NLS schedule, times and free live streams Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen Nurburgring LIVE: NLS schedule, times and free live streams

Today 12:56
Aston Martin and Adrian Newey set for F1 cost cap boost after FIA twist Latest F1 News

Aston Martin and Adrian Newey set for F1 cost cap boost after FIA twist

Today 08:59
Max Verstappen told to speak to F1 rivals after causing storm over new 2026 rules F1 News & Gossip

Max Verstappen told to speak to F1 rivals after causing storm over new 2026 rules

Today 08:14
Ontdek het op Google Play
x