Damon Hill insists Lewis Hamilton must be “cold-blooded” in contract negotiations with Mercedes with a brand new deal but to be signed.

The seven-time Components 1 world champion, who has gained six of his seven titles with Mercedes, has been with the Silver Arrows since 2013 and whereas each Hamilton and staff boss Toto Wolff keep a recent contract is an inevitability, the deal has nonetheless not been accomplished.

The 38-year-old, an eight-time winner at his dwelling grand prix at Silverstone the place the F1 paddock roll into this weekend, was closely linked with Ferrari a couple of months again however rapidly downplayed solutions a swap to the Scuderia was within the works.

And 1996 F1 world champion Hill, whereas appreciating the “romance” of such a transfer, insists switching allegiance would characterize a “big threat.”

“Any driver who doesn’t know what the choices are is lacking a possibility,” Hill tells The Unbiased, forward of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

“However would he actually go to Ferrari? From a strategic standpoint, it could be an enormous threat to go to Ferrari. Everybody would like to be in purple and win, see what occurred with Nigel [Mansell].

“It’s a romance actually however you’ve acquired to be cold-blooded about it. He’s not going to go to Pink Bull both.”

Elaborating on why a brand new contract has been so lengthy within the pipeline, Hill mentioned: “As I perceive it, the contract gained’t simply be a racing contract – it is going to be a full Mercedes ambassadorial contract.

“That requires a distinct board to log out on it, can’t simply be signed off by Toto. There’ll be some board conferences in Germany.”

Pink Bull have gained all 9 races to this point this season and are cruising to a different double title win, with Max Verstappen 81 factors forward of team-mate Sergio Perez on the earth championship.

Hill, himself a British GP winner in 1994, now believes probably the most thrilling storyline in 2023 is whether or not Christian Horner’s staff can do the unprecedented and win each grand prix, with 22 races in complete on this yr’s calendar.

“Can they win each race? It’s by no means been completed earlier than – they’ll be sitting there pondering ‘we will’t depend on it, however we’d like to do it.’

“My expertise tells me that one thing will stop that – Fernando [Alonso] or Lewis will win once more. But when they don’t, Max might win all the things frankly.

“What an achievement that will be and the way tense would that make the previous couple of races.”

Pink Bull, nevertheless, might want to break a Silverstone hoodoo this weekend – they haven’t gained the British Grand Prix since 2012 with Mark Webber.

Verstappen was foiled by a mechanical subject throughout final yr’s thrilling race, gained by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz after a prolonged stoppage following Zhou Guanyu’s upside-down crash, and will one thing related with the Dutchman occur this yr, Horner will flip to Perez to convey dwelling the trophy.

But the Mexican has struggled in current months since successful in Azerbaijan on the finish of April, although did have one thing of a return to kind with second place in final week’s race in Austria. Nonetheless, Hill says Perez ought to be wanting over his shoulder.

“I feel he’s already underneath strain,” he says. “They can not afford to have a automobile that good and never have two vehicles proper up there for the championship.

Pressed on who might change Perez ought to Pink Bull, as has been customary prior to now, look to ruthlessly transfer on from Perez when his contract expires on the finish of 2024, Hill added: “Is Daniel Ricciardo match sufficient to return again?

“That’s what the noises are. Possibly that plan is simmering away. I feel they’d desire a recent face.

“Probably Lando [Norris]. He’s nonetheless acquired a couple of extra years left at McLaren – I used to be stunned when he signed such a long-term deal [until end of 2025]. It’s a very long time, I’d have completed three years tops.

“For those who’re that assured in your self, you want to have the ability to transfer when the time is correct.”

Hill was talking on the Damon Hill Competition of Karting at Daytona Sandown, which raised funds for Halow – a charity which helps younger individuals with studying disabilities and autism. Hill is a co-founder of the Halow venture.