Toto Wolff gives a cryptic update on Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension with Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton's current deal expires at the end of next season (2023). An extension isn't set in stone - but Toto Wolff has provided an update on this.
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Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton
After the Abu Dhabi season finale in 2021, there was some doubt whether Lewis Hamilton would continue another year in Formula 1. He was even reported to be considering retirement. However, that did not come to be, and F1 was able to enjoy watching the Briton race in 2022. It wasn’t a particularly good year for him or Mercedes (by their own lofty standards). He was beaten by new man George Russell over the past season, which certainly wouldn’t do wonders for his confidence.
But that gives him and the team all the more reason to come back stronger. His current deal runs until the end of next season (2023). The 7-time world champion has recently turned 38, and it makes you wonder how many years he has left in the sport. However, the signs are very positive and point to him staying at least another year with the Silver Arrows.
On Beyond the Grid, when asked what his ‘job list’ for 2023 is, and if he is confident that Hamilton would re-sign, Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff said: “Well, the job list is pretty long [with] what’s needed to be done! Certainly, Lewis’s contract is one of the topics that we will tackle over the winter, but there is no firm deadline.”
While both parties seem to be relaxed over when exactly the discussions will take place, Wolff is pretty confident that Hamilton will choose to continue with Mercedes – and sees no reason why he would not: “Absolutely. Lewis is part of the team, and the team is part of Lewis. [There’s] no reason not to continue.”
Will Lewis Hamilton stay in Formula 1?
Lewis Hamilton is one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1, and the sport and its fans will be blessed to see him continue racing and performing. He has a very large fanbase – and they would definitely not want him to retire. That sad day will eventually come, but it might not be in 2023. Back in October of last year, the Briton made clear his intentions to sign a multi-year deal.
“I’m not putting a limit on it to be honest. I’m planning to do a multi-year deal with my team. I really, really don’t know what the next five years (hold). I think we’re still trying to work on that.” Hamilton said ahead of the 2022 Mexico City Grand Prix, as per Sky Sports. He further added: “I want to continue, I think there’s more stuff for us to achieve together so I want to be here longer.”
But some things he’s said recently have cast some doubt over how long exactly he’ll be continuing. In an end-of-December interview, when asked if he and Mercedes have begun contract discussions, Hamilton told Bild: “We haven’t started with that yet. So far we haven’t had the time, we’ve been on the road for two months at a time.” When asked if the contract will be long-term, he said: “Sometimes you wake up and have this feeling: I don’t want to do this anymore. And sometimes you wake up and think: I can still do other things my whole life, there is definitely more I want to achieve. It won’t be a terribly long time now, but I’ll definitely be staying.”
Hamilton further admitted that Motorsport isn’t the most important thing for him anymore – now he feels it’s all about ‘making memories’. But he does have one wish – to retire as world champion. It’ll be interesting to see if Mercedes can provide him with a good enough package in 2023. And if they do, and he wins the title, will he choose to call time on his career? That remains to be seen.
In case you missed it:
- Neymar Jr, Irina Shayk, and several other celebs wish Lewis Hamilton as the legendary F1 driver turns 38
- “I think it was a good time for Valtteri to leave the team,” Toto Wolff feels that Valtteri Bottas is happier with Alfa Romeo after getting out of ‘pressure cooker’ Mercedes
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Aniket Tripathi
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