Toto Wolff explains why Mercedes just a two-year contract extension with Lewis Hamilton 

Toto Wolff admits that the ever-changing landscape of F1 is a major factor in Hamilton's short-term contract extension.

Toto Wolff explains why Mercedes just a two-year contract extension with Lewis Hamilton 

Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton recently signed a two-year contract with Mercedes, ensuring he’ll be with the team until at least the end of 2025. Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, has now come forth to explain why they opted for a short-term rather than a long-term commitment. Throughout the 2023 season, there were persistent rumors about Hamilton’s future, including potential ties to Ferrari. However, Mercedes officially put these speculations to rest by confirming his stay until 2025.

When asked why they decided against a long-term deal, Wolff acknowledged that the Formula One landscape is ever-changing. He also mentioned that by signing a five-year contract, they would need to consider an escape clause. This clause would be necessary if Mercedes couldn’t provide Hamilton with a competitive car, ensuring flexibility for both parties in a rapidly evolving racing environment.

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“This is a dynamic environment, and signing a five-year contract means that you need to discuss about [if] there is any escape clause in case we’re not providing him with a car that is performing,” Toto Wolff told Sky Sports F1 (H&T: Silverarrows.com)

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Toto Wolff expressed his confidence that Hamilton will conclude his racing career with the Mercedes team, emphasizing that he finds it hard to imagine Hamilton competing for another team. Wolff also considered that he wouldn’t prevent a driver from moving to another team, quoting a famous football coach who said,

 “If a good player wants to go elsewhere, then he’s never stopped him going elsewhere.” He concluded that when someone wishes to make a move, whether the team or the driver, they should not interfere with their decision.

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Lewis Hamilton’s calls for FIA intervention to minimize Redbull’s dominance 

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen via The National
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen via The National

Over the weekend, Lewis Hamilton highlighted the importance of FIA intervention in potentially minimizing Red Bull’s dominance, stressing that such actions could enhance the competitiveness of the sport. He also reflected on his past dominance in Formula 1, noting that he consistently advocated for increased competition at the front of the grid, even during his successful periods in the sport.

Hamilton also highlighted the alterations made to the floor regulations, which occurred from 2020 to 2021, as an example of measures to prevent Mercedes’ dominance. He mentioned that similar systemic changes were implemented during his previous periods of success in Formula 1. Later on, Lewis Hamilton claimed each of his teammates was better than the ones Max Verstappen has had in his career.

“When I qualified half a second, six-tenths ahead of Valtteri Bottas, they didn’t say the same thing as they say today when Max Verstappen qualifies six-tenths ahead of Sergio Perez.…. And in my personal opinion, Valtteri, and actually all of my team-mates, have been stronger than the team-mates that Max has had,” Hamilton told Sky Sport.

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