Lewis Hamilton contract: Axe demands ridiculous despite Mercedes rating George Russell

Express Sport understands the team are relaxed about the talks and believe the world champion will stay with them.

That’s despite reports claiming there have been disagreements over salary and over the length of the contract.

Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan thinks Mercedes should think about axing Hamilton as a result.

He said: “If I were the boss of Daimler, I would show him the door: Either you drive on our terms or you go.

“I would also tell him what Bernie Ecclestone said after Ayrton Senna’s death.

“Even if Bernie was shocked and sad like everyone else, he was the first to regain his composure and said to us: ‘Now stop whining: Everybody is replaceable.’

“Lewis should know that by now.”

George Russell could replace Hamilton if it came to it after impressing in the Sakhir Grand Prix last year.

The 22-year-old is seen as a star of the future by Toto Wolff and has been backed by the Silver Arrows for much of his career.

Mercedes would ultimately be foolhardy to get rid of Hamilton, though.

The seven-time F1 world champion has earned the right to make his demands by matching Schumacher’s record of seven titles.

One more title win and he will be considered by many as the greatest driver of all-time, moving out in front of the German