How Hamilton's one-year contract impacts the future of F1

Lewis Hamilton has FINALLY signed a new contract with Mercedes. Is this his final year in F1? When will we see George Russell in a Mercedes again? Could Max Verstappen make a surprise switch? We answer your questions about the deal.
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[@Marjoleeein]

"it wasn't a george russell fan account" excuse you. damon hill for sure is a george russell fan account.

[@tadeashudak9092]

Williams family 🙃

[@7BD273]

wow, forgot that Tommy was the WTF1 founder! thanks for the reminder

[@SirGingerOfKnight]

Like the tweet reply thread Latifi had - "who puts nutella in the fridge?!" In Canada, the fridge is potentially one of the warmest places to keep it!

[@shaft2213]

Nutella comment was the highlight of the whole podcast, lol!

[@selder_7]

Hamilton and Russell would be a good pairing, Russell would learn a lot and be pushed so hard and would push Hamilton too, just a worry that Hamilton breaks Russell or they start clashing. Bottas is the easy pick but they should invest in Russell

[@serpent86]

Agreed !!!!

[@lmao7439]

They are not gonna do it It will be same as nico Hamilton or charles -seb

[@yanguYT]

@@lmao7439 must be because the last time hamilton raced with a british button was back when mclaren was going into crap

[@BuuGz86]

good pairing for us as fans for sure.. but forget it, after NICO + HAM... i just don't see it happening.

[@areebsiddiqui758]

@@lmao7439 There's NO WAY Russell in his first season at a top team pushes Hamilton to the title the way Rosberg did in 14 and 16. The Russell overhyping needs to stop, his fans are blowing things out of proportion.

[@killiancush7888]

I really like the old upbeat intro tho can you bring it back please 🙏🏻

[@pacogperrote]

You said u read the comments so I hope u see this, y’all legends, I really enjoy your podcast and how you all have different opinions and how u back up your opinions. I don’t even speak English really good but i really enjoy this. Vamos Carlos y Fernando!!!!

[@leoben49]

Vamos Paco!! Me alegro que haya alguien más por aquí apoyando a los españoles de F1!

[@olishute3620]

This is all that gets me through the winter

[@mubashirshoukat8463]

Fax

[@NoahLeMar]

damn right

[@morturiom9651]

The winter that has now taken a year

[@AP02112]

One month to Bahrain testing 👌

[@voldanmalak]

Agreed! Also, if you’re looking for something to consume your time watch/listen to the Joe Rogan Podcast. I just finished watching him interview Graham Hancock, freaking amazing.

[@daverussell457]

03:06 - "He's literally been unemployed..." Me: I wish I could be that kind of unemployed. Lewis has almost USD 300 million and USD 12 million a year from personal sponsors and endorsement deals.

[@matthewd6306]

He's so oppressed.

[@TheRevDel]

Gimme hype, gimme energy, your intros rock hard! Give me more hyper Matt!

[@CptGallant]

Matt, your intros are great, love the energy! Don't let other people drag you down!

[@Lastname6955]

Yeah!!!

[@matthewthomas2546]

@@blackbee_v8 what does Matt say to "hate" on Hamilton?

[@SaugusDudley]

This intro was WAY too much energy. He needs to calm it down more.

[@underbite471]

30 minutes after news is released: WTF1 drops a 36 minute video about it

[@adamturner4619]

Not even close bro

[@big-man-c77]

it had been like 4+ hours

[@adamturner4619]

@@big-man-c77 exactly

[@peteharper3299]

For all we know, WTF1 could be on the list of outlets that receive press releases so it's entirely likely they could have got the news at the same time as, say, the BBC, Sky, Motorsport.com etc etc and what with it being the biggest news of the day, immediately dropped everything and recorded this video. With 600+k subscribers here, that's a fairly large audience and it's not exactly difficult to be in contact with the press departments of sporting teams, organisations, businesses, charities etc and be added into an email list to receive press releases. After all, it's the press departments sole purpose to get the news out as far and as wide as possible so they'll be sending those releases out to pretty much everyone who asks for it.

[@big-man-c77]

@@peteharper3299 this was posted 4 hours after the news dropped. they definitely dropped everything, but yeah the original comment is a bit misleading

[@sof7139]

personally, I see Hamilton and George partnered together. I think it’ll give Russell a chance to develop and learn as a driver, although I don’t think he’ll need it. George has been partnered with Kubica, who (correct me if I’m wrong) at the time had no experience of these cars from 2014 onwards. Then he was partnered with Latifi, who is of course a rookie and also has no experience. I think Russell partnered with a driver of Lewis’s experience will do him good, even it’s just for a season. Again, only my personal opinion :)

[@kityhawk2000]

It's not so much that George needs its but rather if he could benefit from it and it think the answer to that is yes.

[@cbrdealer]

Lewis will not pair with George as a teammate. He doesnt want competition, he will win this last title and be done.

[@funds1111]

@@cbrdealer He’s been teammates with 3 world champions. Alonso, Button and Rosberg. He beat them all lol why would he fear Russell.

[@cbrdealer]

@@funds1111 Right, and they were all toxic except button because the wasnt really ever fighting him. Look at the Rosberg years though, it looked super stressful on the drivers and team when you legit have 2 teammates battling for the championship. Lewis doesn't want that inter-team rivalry anymore.

[@funds1111]

@@cbrdealer How do you know that? He’s been saying he wants close racing for years and has spoke about removing the dirty air for closer racing since atleast 2017. Why would he do this when it’s essentially helping everyone else but him?

[@julia-pg3xh]

since im a huge george russell fan, Id absolutely love to see him work with lewis in 2022. george has so much respect for lewis, and those 2 together at mercedes would be a great combination, so im secretly hoping that actually happens :)

[@recipoldinasty]

I just hope the other teams catch up, those cars are too op and too fast, put latifi in lewis. Ar an he gets second behind bottas or russell lol

[@karlstevens2278]

George is such a huge talent.. I think it would be the changing of the guard.. And George would give Lewis a run for his money.. but it would be the dream team for me.

[@daanprincen7155]

Love your podcasts

[@ForeverF1]

The holy heart

[@joseastorga2881]

This podcast along with Super GT have blessed my Monday. GET STEVE ON THE PODCAST

[@davewillisporter]

Toto Wolff on teammate veto "He has never had that in 8 years, it's a team decision"

[@Richardtv1968]

Humbug

[@jasonjansen9831]

I like both intros tbh. Hyped is good but chill/high version is good too.

[@SorenBoddy]

I love these episodes! Keep em going until the season starts!

[@ehhaleracing6355]

Matt just NEED to say where is the f1 2020 review ? like you did for 2017,18 and 19

[@mEDVINd_golf]

Russel Gasly in Mercedes 2022, you heard it here first!

[@Lammerz]

Please next week or time Matt have the best intro full excitement full power full energy full everything

[@TacticalBunnyCA]

GOHE “Greatest of his Era” Unquestionably but “of all time” is an impossible comparison because Lewis did not face the Danger of his predecessors! He did not put his life on the line like Lauda or Senna or Fangio and a win count does not negate that fact. That being said, if he were to win a couple of championships in in the next gen of car with the ground effects l, which look to be the most competitive across the field, then it would be pretty hard to argue ten championships!

[@RWoody1995]

But it still stands noone performs well consistently for 14 years straight like he has... he's won races every year he's raced since 2007.

[@selder_7]

My thoughts are: it’s a 1 year contract because that’s in Hamilton’s best interest even if he isn’t going to retire (isn’t like job security is an issue). Even if he does get his 8th championship that is the bare minimum you’d need to have the most, I don’t think he’s the type to settle for the bare minimum is he thinks he has 10 in him. Russell will be in the Merc in 2022, so Bottas better hope that Hamilton retires (unless bottas wins it)

[@funds1111]

Exactly. He’ll chase 10.

[@dorleysflir5350]

For those that the intro is too quick, there's a playback speed setting, select 0.75x and if that's still too quick, select 0.5x.

[@callumburton1287]

Good video dude.😃👍

[@joshsmith7521]

This was very quick after the news broke

[@LeoCharles]

Lewis wont retire. He will NOT resist the urge to drive the new cars in 2022 lol Also, Lewis wants part of Mercedes F1 in the form of stocks/ownership or something like that. That could take months to resolve, lawyers, financial advisors etc. The one year contract is not a surprise for me. Love you guys, you rock!

[@carlosmafia]

Northamptonshire is not mentioned very often in very many places, so every time I hear it I feel happy. I, like many Northamptonshireites, have only ever lived within 10 miles of my hometown.

[@nationharris]

Only F1 podcast I listen to. I love it!

[@bik3r230]

I like the more relaxed into way better then the crazy one if you do the calm one for the podcast and do the excited one for race reviews and internets reaction because they are more chaotic and energy full

[@Peacecommunity777]

You guys are awesome 👏... fills the gap when F1 is off season.. 👍

[@Gumby_FPV]

That intro sounded like an AM radio DJ introducing a soft Jazz song. Keep the high energy normal intro.

[@benjaminhoff6451]

Love the podcast :)

[@chirihoopsahdie]

Such a vibe from the crew

[@nsx_unseen1874]

Anonymous made you sound like you have been smoking something 😂 😂

[@pippinrocks]

Love the hype intro please keep it!!!!!!!

[@SorenBoddy]

Nooo matt! I miss that intro - please bring it back

[@OzanKulcu]

Matt, don't change anything because some people are keyboard warriors. We love this podcast as it is! Love the episodes during the winter break!

[@ffa092]

Love the podcast

[@millennium581]

26:48 I kept thinking Matt was drinking straight up raw eggs

[@imaner76]

@27:00 Tommy hitting the nail on the head while other flounder on where to point the finger. Well said.

[@courtneyswaby3178]

Well done well said

[@metro3313]

As far as I'm concerned, he has an option to extend it by one more year.

[@smcracingleague5929]

At the F1 Website it means Just a one year contract

[@MentalParadox]

Your opinions or desires have zero impact on reality.

[@recipoldinasty]

@Segro Originpark he will try them even if he retires...

[@GloomGaiGar]

He does but that will be subject to another long negotiation process. That's not a guarantee.

[@funds1111]

He’ll still be racing at 40. He’s far from done.

[@baksatibi]

I don't think that Russel got the drive in the Mercedes in Bahrain just to prove himself to the team. It was just as much about giving him a sneak peak why he should sit it out in the Williams until the seat becomes available.

[@xakhab2052]

Lol don't worry about the intro its very good and I like it

[@incognito6994]

You are the best KZbinr ever

[@danielatlas5544]

Well every team falls off the cliff when the next team makes the best of rull changes

[@content-i-guess]

Yay WTF1 thank goodness. Keep me grounded while we wait for F1.

[@WilsonCo.]

Matt I love your intros -from Jimmy

[@cpb1998]

I'm a little surprised Ocon's name isn't being mentioned.

[@Ticklestein]

14:30 - You mean they’d be doing an NBC (from Mercedes point), a Conan O’Brian (from George’s point) and a Jay Leno (from Hamilton’s point). They’d be doing a *Tonight Show*

[@katieransome41]

Matt being the purely British legend he is: drinking juice from a glass mug and even raising his pinkie finger ☕🇬🇧

[@aryanchauhan2403]

The perfect man for teammate harmony is Kimi Raikkonen.

[@thehumanpokedex5655]

Mattys haircut is good today

[@oscars9449]

Cheer up Matt!

[@7BD273]

19:27 ebony and ivory 🎶

[@swapnilsen451]

Matt emphasizing he has won the 8th title for sure seems so weird now.

[@subatenome]

But I love your intro's tho :,(

[@bigbenjibongo5776]

I think Lewis could do something like niki lauda, be part of the team in relation with toto

[@tobygreen6010]

@Katy - put Nutella in the fridge and it’s the middle of a Ferrero Roche. It’s a must do!

[@manoharmanas]

Aren't you forgetting Estaban Ocon? He was the Mercedes test driver and managed by Toto Wolff.

[@leroygames1630]

I want verstappen and George at Merc. A battle for the championship that is going to be close. Also both deserve a good car.

[@AlonsoFan2023]

I would be happy about Russel. However, I hope that Verstappen will stay with Red Bull if the team continues to exist. But I have to admit that I don't really like him personally. Purely in terms of talent, he definitely deserves it.

[@iqbalali5678]

I think Verstapen and ridiculously quick but also a little toxic. And Mercedes have a no "dickhead" rule

[@Johann_Gambolputty_of_Ulm]

"both deserve a good car"

[@chriscollins550]

Lewis and Russell at Mercedes after this season

[@huyra8019]

@@Johann_Gambolputty_of_Ulm im pretty sure Adrian has the most championships on the grid as a person lol

[@robgraham5016]

I really hope Checo & Max take it to Merc this year!

[@garrettcrayton4493]

2022 Merc Line-up: Russel, Albon? I know there are no ties (at least, that I know of), but during the virtual GPs both last year and last week, Albon showed he's got a lot of talent, I just don't think he was able to fully master the RB. (I also think that Albon could very easily be the best #2 driver on the grid, even more so than Bottas, if he's given the chance to actually develop as a driver)

[@danbuac1156]

I honestly think he’ll stay till 22 to drive the new cars and then will probably retire after that

[@burrito-town]

The audio on this video is too quiet. If you right click on the video and select 'Stats for Nerds' you'll see that the audio is almost 15 dB too quiet. Could you bump it up for future videos so we don't need to keep tuning our volume knobs each time a new video plays?

[@MrBuurh]

It just seems like he has signed a one year deal because it benefits both parties. Hamilton can look to leave at the end of the year or he could stay on if he likes the look of the 2022 regulations. I just feel like he has - the best car, the best team, best facilities & he's insanely good, why not go for titles 9 & 10 & make it unassailable for anyone else ever! Just make the records so far out of reach for everyone else! That would be my motivation! I just hope he doesn't retire too early & regret it, because let's be honest nothing no matter how hard you try is going to give you the buzz he gets from driving & F1 car! That's why Kimi, Alonso, Seb are all still here because nothing gives you that rush like F1!

[@reecejohnson1346]

My guess for someone else at merc would be gasly he shows skill and he will be open to many teams

[@uraveragecringebrazilian]

@WTF1 This Is Not Lewis Hamilton's Last Year Contract

[@retsam001]

Great podcast I was wondering why there is the perception that Mercedes would not put Russell and Hamilton together after Sakir I thought toto came out and was very strong on Bottas’s performance

[@Gigidag77]

It's a one year contract because he knows very well that Mercedes might not be dominant after the 2022 rule changes. So now he can easily grab title 8, become the "greatest of all time" by statistics and call it quits before he could potentially have to drive in a less "overpowered" car.

[@Npc14]

But Hamilton wants the challenge though? I reckon it's only a one year deal due to the lateness of it and because Hamilton has other commitments that might gain traction over 2021, also he's not getting younger this year he might deteriorate a lot more than expected . But at the moment it seems likely he will go into 2022 with Mercedes in my opinion.

[@Aru_TK]

but what would be the point of signing a 1 year contract with veto power after the team mate signed?

[@soccerswimfan]

there is no veto power! That was a rumor started by Hamilton haters. He did interviews in the past stating that is not something he cares about or puts in his contracts.

[@adaml83]

@@soccerswimfan You're probably correct, that and I suspect that he'd know about the Senna/Prost thing and Prost having veto power on teammates. I don't think he'd want to do that.

[@shaqattack297]

Guys what is VETO?

[@Aru_TK]

@@soccerswimfan yeah, I know. Just pointing out that it would be useless even if there was

[@Aru_TK]

@@shaqattack297 "veto" is the ability to block a decision made by others. As an example, if it was the case, Hamilton would be able to deny Max a seat at Merc even if the team wanted to sign Max

[@LplusRatioplusNobodyCares]

Does Katie say anything that someone else didn’t say?

[@maxseed1414]

we'll see

[@wilseph1]

WTF1 pod work rate is something Roy Keane would marvel at.

[@ryanhealy9342]

I'm not thinking they will fall off but I think everyone will be close and it will be harder to distinguish who actually has the fastest car of the year and it will go down to driver skill.

[@karlstevens2278]

Awesome podcast 5⭐👍

[@Ronny999x]

Wehrlein and Ocon waited for the Mercedes seat. What has it brought them? If Russell gets an offer from Red Bull he should take it.

[@Lastname6955]

But either Red Bull won't want him to challenge Max or George could be another Albon or Gasly.

[@Ronny999x]

@@Lastname6955 There was no problem with Riccardo at Red Bull apart from one crash. So i don't see a problem with Russell joining.

[@GloomGaiGar]

The fact that even Merc put their 7 time WDC on a 1 year contract is a good sign. That and he managed to drive the car competitively and do well won't harm his chances.

[@ManEqualW]

Katy is always smiling and it really brightens up the mood

[@thesamaffliction1572]

Can't lie I don't see Lewis retiring after this season. Nor do I want him to. However, I do see a Mercedes change up. Personally I think should Seb struggle this year he will bow out and Valterri will join the Aston team (Toto has links there too) That'll pave way for George and i feel he will learn under Lewis while a closer but still not risky teammate rivalry will boost Mercedes and George will take the mantle as their long runner. When Lewis chooses to step down. But I do think Valterri will prove his quality in a high midfield team rather than just as Lewis' number 2. And let's be fair everyone bar George, Max and Charles would struggle to match Lewis.

[@gollese]

He should take a break this season and come back to 2022 imo. And nah, out of those 3, i bet you - Max would give Lewis run for his money.

[@levb1729]

„Lewis Hamilton signing his 8th title” lmao about the unpredictability of F1

[@BladeRunner031]

I would like to see you be this sure mid 2017 and mid 2018 season

[@chriscollins550]

F1 isn't about being perditictabal

[@3XICS]

@@BladeRunner031except for the fact that after the mid season upgrades they wrecked Ferrari so bad Hamilton was still champion with like three races to go. It's sad this was the closest anyone ever got to them in this era.

[@BladeRunner031]

@@3XICS So?Mid season nobody knew what will happen,even furder in the year. Nobody could predict what actually happened

[@recipoldinasty]

@@BladeRunner031 i was this sure both years lol, the merc was still way faster than the rrari

[@tighebardwell6308]

Honestly the biege intro was soothing as hell....

[@reecejohnson1346]

In Canada the fridge is probably the warmest place in the house

[@Astrostevo]

I like the old typical intro FWIW.

[@27kemira]

Great 👍

[@paulcollis9223]

Hi guys hope you all good

[@mawile3037]

That thing about diversity, like, I'm Hispanic, I got Checo, we got Yuki which is Japanese, Sainz is technically Hispanic, Alex recently out is Thai, Jack is Korean, Fittipaldi is also Hispanic, Alonso is also technically Hispanic lol, Hulkenberg is an Avenger, if anything it's the engineering side of diversity, and that's just something they'll have to fix internally, you need talent to be on track and that's just different from having it on track, because it's hard as it is to get on track to begin with SIR Lewis Hamilton was PRIVILEDGED enough to be an Englishman AND be Knighted, so . . . . . . .he needs to know what and where to fight for something, because even then, FIA has segregated women to their own league and that could be something that I think should be overturned and they should be integrated else where, maybe F3

[@notyoubutme6810]

You also forgot how Hamilton did karting...something that only the top 5% can really afford 🤷‍♂️

[@xenonn7275]

Finaly someone who says it like it is.

[@mawile3037]

@@notyoubutme6810 exactly, him being non-Hispanic European is really the only thing that auto yeets him under the " diversity " banner Everything else about him is so incredibly privileged, regardless of his father working two jobs, it was the same for Ocan and Gasly across the straight It is an extremely expensive sport, it's an economic barrier not so much a social one Yes he was discriminated against when he was younger but those are just words, not sticks and stones per say, F1 is a money sport, that's how we have tracks in countries where humans rights are violated by the same people that govern them, he should be boycotting that Honestly, he's a hypocrite, an extremely talented hypocrite

[@xenonn7275]

@@TheTororist whats the difference... diverse and underpriviledged to him is just non white...

[@mawile3037]

@@TheTororist that's the commission, not Sir Hamilton, he clearly stated he's the only person of color on the grid

[@seangreenheld7525]

You do you Matt, regardless of whether people like it or not :)

[@tanmaymedhavi8577]

Dont all youtube chanels/videos have intros here its was energetic matty i dnt get how people can have a problem with evrything :/

[@officialWWM]

WTF1 ASMR channel 😂

[@jaredabvan20]

Damn.. Max looks good in that Merc suit

[@selder_7]

The title fright will be a forgone conclusion this year, but the battle for 3rd will be mega

[@nettlecider]

so now that we know you read comments... hi I've not thought this one through

[@julianvanhelden4245]

Is Tom family with BVB player jude bellingham?

[@liukin95]

I don't think Red Bull would let Max move to Mercedes so willingly, they would make it as hard for him as possible to come out of that contract. And what do people think would happen if we end up in a scenario where lewis signs another contract for Merc in 2022 but Valtteri does not? I just don't think Merc would place someone else in that seat ahead of Russell, who could easily end up at another team if he is kept in that Williams for another year.

[@jakebrech3147]

it's quite funny to me how you have all these people on social media saying we want Lewis out give Russel the seat which is quite ironic cos these are the same people complaining about Mercedes dominating week in week out. And it's funny cos they want to replace the best driver on the grid in the best car with a driver who is seen to be one of the biggest talents on the grid and with the most potential. so the exact same situation will happen again with it being fun to see Russel win the first couple races but will then proceed to be hated on by those same fans for his dominance when he goes and does the exact same as Lewis.

[@benstylus]

Nutella in the fridge makes perfect sense for a Canadian. It's warmer in the fridge than out over there.

[@101cheekie]

The challenge of close wheel to wheel racing, the confidence he has in his own ability, Lewis isn't going nowhere for now! On the veto, he has said in the past that put anyone next to him and he will beat them!

[@ashhollingsworth3314]

I think if Lewis is willing to stay for a year he would be a good team mate for George, I think that’s the best situation for Mercedes for 2022 As far as the George proving himself at Bahrain short, he absolutely did? Bottas has been in that team for 3 years, working with them directly, enhancing the car, understanding the car, and George had FP1, FP2, FP3 and Quali... And Bottas didn’t have an answer... if you walk into the Merc garage and spend about 6 hours in a car that the other driver spent the entire season in and he can’t beat you, that’s proving a point.

[@robertsepners4067]

bring back the hype intro