Finishing the season with a relatively lacklustre performance, world champion, Lewis Hamilton says he hopes to agree a new deal by Christmas.

One of the main talking points following yesterday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - other than whether it was the most boring race in living memory - was whether Lewis Hamilton should have participated.

The world champion never truly looked 'on it' this weekend, and after both qualifying and the race admitted that he was not 100% recovered from the coronavirus that forced him to miss the Sakhir Grand Prix.

"Physically, massively. I don't think I've ever been so blown," replied the Briton after yesterday's race, when asked if he was still feeling the effects of the virus. "My body's not feeling pretty good.

"I look on the bright side, I made it through," he added. "I didn't think any time last week that I'd be here, so I'm just really, really grateful for my health and to be alive.

"I'm looking forward to recovering over the next period of time we have and getting back into training and getting my body back to where I know it should be."

Referring to the race, in which neither of the Mercedes drivers ever looked convincing and in the latter stages saw Alex Albon reel him in, Hamilton said: "Considering the past couple of weeks I've had, I'm really genuinely happy with the weekend. It's obviously not 100 percent as good as I actually would like.

"All year physically I've been fine, but today I definitely wasn't," he admitted. "I'm just glad it's over. Big thanks to the team for their continued support. It's still a fantastic result to get two podium finishes for us."

While the season might be over, there is still the little mater of a new contract with Mercedes, his current one running out in just two weeks.

"We would love to get it done before Christmas," he said. "I plan to be here next year, I want to be here next year. Us as a team have more to do together, more to achieve in the sport, more outside the sport.

"So I hope we can begin, this week, discussions and get it tied up before Christmas."

Check out our Sunday gallery from Yas Island, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Editor, 24/01/2021 13:41 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 24/01/2021 13:48)

"We will leave the post below as is.

However, I totally refute the suggestion that Pitpass has ever shown "bias against Lewis Hamilton"

That said, if you can provide evidence I would be happy to see it, and if necessary apologise, for such "bias" was never intended.

The emotional and accusatory use of the word "hater" is bad enough, while the fact that certain posters are still returning to comment on an article that is over a month old suggests an agenda.
"

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2. Posted by F1RacingFan, 24/01/2021 13:32

"@Administrator
@editor

It is such a shame that this website would want to throw out genuine, decent F1 fans with honest, truthful and unbiased opinions, but prefer to continue and encourage these other people who are obvious Hamilton haters who's prejudice against Lewis Hamilton should automatically disqualify them from giving their so-called opinions at all!
You and I know who they are below!

To be perfectly honest, I have read the articles on this website for over 13 years, when Lewis Hamilton started racing in F1, and there were plenty of prejudice against Lewis then, as there are now, but I have to say, in those days, in my honest opinion, I felt that the editorials on this website were quite biased against Lewis Hamilton too!

Fortunately, in the last few years, the tide of expert opinion have overwhelming come to the correct conclusion that Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly one of F1's GOAT or even he's the absolute F1 GOAT alone!
So thankfully, the editorial here has by now come to terms with this, although I do feel that sometimes, the bias is still there, especially when posted in the comments!

Before you delete me, I just wanted to know that I KNOW YOU VERY WELL!!! "

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3. Posted by CrazyF1People, 24/01/2021 11:36 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 24/01/2021 11:53)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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4. Posted by kenji, 16/12/2020 0:07

"@ Editor....No problems...all cool. Interesting debate nevertheless. Merry Xmas all."

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5. Posted by Editor, 15/12/2020 15:57

"OK, gentlemen, you've had your fun.

Now, as they used to say in the good old days, can you please take it outside."

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6. Posted by Hobgoblin, 15/12/2020 13:33

"In answer to the comments regarding Mazepin's off-track behaviour, and also to the comments regarding Hamilton's off-track activities, let's not forget that - like all top sports personalities - these people are role-models to some.

If Mazepin's behaviour in that video is seen to be ok and subsequently copied by even one person, then that cannot be acceptable and he should be held to account.

If Hamilton's activities inspire some to look further into the BLM issues then that has to be a good thing doesn't it?"

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7. Posted by kenji, 15/12/2020 13:15

"@ TS Goodchild. Yes, i do know what the meaning of the word is however you have dodged answering my critique. Show me where there is 'exclusivity' because you can't push 'inclusivity' without it. IMO it's simply a feel good buzz word unless you are both willing and able to provide meaningful examples...within F1. Likewise i look forward to your providing evidence of real 'non diversity' being applied to situations within the F1 environment. What exactly do you see as being lack of 'diversity'? Are you saying that LGBTQ+ etc etc have been discriminated against? If so where exactly where? Without evidence to support your stated position your argument fails.

'We race as one'! 'One' what exactly? Another feelgood cliche. People who desire to take up employment within the total F1 environment should and i expect do, conform to one major factor. That is simply to be the very best of what's on offer irrespective of any other considerations. Are you saying that those claiming certain diverse race/gender/ considerations should be provided with a 'rails run'? Where is your evidence to support 'racial discrimination' within F1 in it's current form?

Regards Mazepin ...Obviously you are ignorant of the fact that the girl involved has chosen to totally reject all the pious / overly self righteous comments launched on social media. I will not proselytise on this matter.Young people do silly things but, according to her, this was all in good hearted jest. I am, as is said earlier, concerned only with what he does on track and for that he should be taught some serious lessons before anybody gets badly hurt. His attitude is seriously flawed.

Regards Hamilton... Your opinion is duly noted. That said firstly you should refrain from using Lauda as an example. A totally different era with totally different performance parameters and racing attitudes. I still maintain that Hamilton was seeing the GOAT 'myth' exposed and chose, with Wolffie's imprimata, to return as a way of protecting his image. Then to blame his third place on the fact that he was 'massively blown' by the virus is a weak defence. I very much doubt that Wolff has the cojones to ever put a real challenge to Hamilton in the other car. Rosberg proved a point and Mercedes are too weak to take up the real sporting challenge. Hamilton's titles have mostly come from an environment where he has had unbeatable car and no real challengers. Yes, he's a very good driver but then again so are many others on the grid as witnessed with Russell's incredible performance. As regards to the race at Abu Dhabi, Mercedes are playing down the fact that they had detuned the PU somewhat as an insurance against unknown possible failures! Believe it or not. What that says really is that RB only won on a day that Mercedes were running below normal performance parameters. According to Hamilton they weren't told? I'd call BS on that little doozie.

"

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8. Posted by kenji, 15/12/2020 1:06

"@TSGoodchild...Thanks for your response however it does not fit the field IMO. What do you actually mean when you refer to 'inclusivity'? Please be specific when you respond. So if you can't provide me with any examples ATM then obviously 'exclusivity' doesn't exist in anything but your own mind! As for Mazepin, well i have posted my opinions about that ,but once again obviously you're unaware of them. His on track behaviour deserved a black flag and race penalties. His 'off track' antics have been massively inflated and whilst i personally disapprove, he needs to get his act together. What i do reject is the 'Ayatollah Crusty' delivering a blistering 'fatwa' against Mazepin across the public spectrum during F1TV broadcasts. That is an abuse of position. The new righteousness is a concern.

Your attempt to downplay the Mercedes/Hamilton/Russell event avoids the issue that i raised originally. Let there be no mistake here. Hamilton's drive, while obviously less than 100% fit, was purely a political decision. Both WC's have been decided in Mercede's and Hamilton's favour. The last race was meaningless in that context. His contribution to the race was a big fat nil and then to announce publicly that he was 'massively blown' after the event was made to highlight his dedication to the masses., just a look at me moment. IMO totally 'faux'. What little racing actually occurred was to be found in the lesser echelons....a big thanks to them for providing a mere frisson of excitement."

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9. Posted by F1 Yank, 14/12/2020 18:23

"Yeah, a few topics addressed in the conversations below. Politics, Last Race Performance, Covid19. I would have to say at this point, for F1 races and broadcasts, leave the politics out. Pretty simple here. The F1 broadcast vignettes and F1 banners have become off-topic. HAM's performance over the weekend in Abu Dhabi was not very good in my opinion, and it was obvious from his comments he was still suffering from the effects of the virus. Did HAM come back too soon? I would think the previous performance by RUS would be a serious motivator. This season has been a total ad hoc make it up as you go year, and from the sound of it HAM was not fit enough to be in his race seat. F1 was just trying to salvage a season out of all this and although a champion and constructor was crowned, it just didn't convince me."

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10. Posted by kenji, 14/12/2020 13:01

"IMO drivers should be put through vigorous and rigorous testing to assess their fitness prior to a race if they have previously suffered a setback such as the virus. Obviously Hamilton did not test positive therefore technically he was cleared to race but to then claim he was 'blown' as an excuse for his performance is an attempt to show character in the face of adversity as a publicity stunt. I might be quite wrong but i do think that he was driven to drive the last race because, amongst other things,he wanted to keep Russell out of the car. If Russell had returned and won, which was definitely a possibility, then that wouldn't look good at all for the GOAT or his 'wingman'. Failure to recognise these points as possible events is naive. Wolff et al didn't achieve their current positions from being altruistic.
"

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11. Posted by kenji, 14/12/2020 12:47

"@ TSGoodchild....could you please post some examples of 'inclusivity' that now exists in F1 that didn't before? If F1 feels the need to slavishly promote the BLM movement then that is fine but not on the F1 motor racing TV and print platforms. The pre race performance is cringeworthy at best. Time to move on. Why not promote free speech or some other issues that cut across all possible avenues than a singular divisive issue. What about the ongoing massacre of white farmers in South Africa for starters? "

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12. Posted by Superbird70, 14/12/2020 11:32

"@Simon, look up 1986-1991 South African Grand Prix."

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13. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 14/12/2020 9:27

""I plan to be here next year, I want to be here next year. Us as a team have more to do together, more to achieve in the sport, more outside the sport."

What is Lewis pushing for "outside the sport" ??

I would not want to see F1 being used to promote non-motoring/motorsport activities.

If any owner, driver or team member has aspirations to utilise their status to achieve social or pseudo-political goals and to use that status to pressurise or coerce others to cooperate then quite frankly they should leave either by their own volition or be shown the door."

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