Lewis Hamilton Forgoes £15 Million Bonus Due to Max Verstappen’s Dominance

In Lewis Hamilton’s existing contract, there is a £15 million bonus stipulated for winning the championship.

However, with Max Verstappen securing the 2023 Drivers’ Championship effortlessly during the Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton has foregone a substantial bonus outlined in his contract.

Verstappen clinched his third consecutive championship after securing second place in the Qatar GP Sprint race a few weeks ago, a weekend marked by Hamilton’s collision with his teammate.

Currently positioned third in the standings, Hamilton trails Sergio Perez in second by 32 points after a challenging Brazilian Grand Prix.

Despite the slim likelihood of Hamilton surpassing Perez in the remaining races in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, even if he does manage this feat, he will still be ineligible for the bonus.

Reportedly, Hamilton’s present contract, expiring at the end of the season and valued at £27.5 million, includes a £15 million bonus contingent on winning the Drivers’ Championship.

Verstappen’s ongoing dominance suggests that Hamilton’s aspirations for the bonus may remain unfulfilled until at least the new power unit regulations in 2026.

While Hamilton is set to be on a new contract from January 1, 2024, until the end of 2025, it is uncertain whether it includes a similar championship-winning bonus.

Considering Mercedes’ current performance struggles, adding a title bonus seems impractical, given the unlikelihood of the Silver Arrows reclaiming their top position.

The Brackley-based team eagerly anticipates bidding farewell to the W14 and introducing a new concept next season to address their deficit to the front.

In the previous round in Brazil, Hamilton and George Russell faced setbacks, with the 103-time race winner having to settle for a disappointing eighth place.

The poor result left the entire team to feel despondent, with Hamilton admitting that Red Bull are simply “so far away”.

“I think, ultimately, all I can do is try to remain optimistic,” Hamilton admitted in Brazil, as reported by The Express.

“The Red Bull I think is so far away. I think they’re probably going to be very clear for the next couple of years.”