Toto Wolff sees no point in talking about Mercedes’ “driver situation” regarding Lewis Hamilton

Much has been made of the delay in Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension. The Briton’s current contract expires at the end of 2023, and it seems the two parties are still not negotiating. Former British F1 world champions Jenson Button and Damon Hill suggested that this delay was related to Hamilton gauging the competitiveness of the 2023 Mercedes, the W14. If it wasn’t good enough, it was touted that he could retire at the end of the season.

But Hamilton has denied that. He’d asserted that there was no ‘hold-up’ on the contract talks. In his own words continues to be ‘relaxed’, and does not feel the need to get the contract done immediately. He also basically confirmed that he would extend with the team “unless something catastrophic happens”. Well, Mercedes seem to be ditching their current car concept, after they found themselves behind Aston Martin – who are their customer team!

If this doesn’t improve, there’s still a possibility that Hamilton may get tired. Unless it’s signed, the extension will still be in doubt. In such a situation, Mercedes would need a replacement – but who can replace a seven-time world champion? It’s rumored that they were looking at Charles Leclerc, but he has a contract till the end of 2024.

But when asked who he was considering as ‘back-up’ options if Hamilton retires, Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff was not too keen on answering. The Austrian said as per Crash.net: “I think there is no point talking about the driver situation in 2024. That is far too early. We need all to all push in the same directions, the drivers, the engineers, all of us management. Rather than throwing in the towel, we’re not doing that. We never have done that and we will not be doing that.”

Read More: “That’s nonsense,” Helmut Marko slams Toto Wolff’s ‘playing with rivals’ comments on Red Bull

Toto Wolff: Lewis Hamilton is an ‘integral part’ of Mercedes

After his P5 finish at the Bahrain GP, Lewis Hamilton had come onto the radio asserting his belief in the team, while acknowledging that there was work to be done. Referencing this, Toto Wolff said: “The Lewis situation, you heard him on the radio. I think he’s an integral part of the team, picking the team up and we’re all sticking together and I don’t think that’s going to change just because we had another start that was really bad.”

Mercedes’ team principal continued: “We won eight constructors’ championships and we won six drivers’ championships with him. That relationship holds. I think it would be much too easy to lose a driver and then just throw in the white towel. We’re not doing that. On the contrary, we just need to really dig deep and deeper than we’ve ever done, and provide both drivers a car that they’re actually able to fight with. You almost feel for them.”

Right now, at least over a race distance, it looks as if Aston Martin have the best package behind Red Bull. Behind them are Ferrari, and then Mercedes – so in a sense, the Silver Arrows are in fact even further behind than they were at the start of 2022. They have a big task on their hands if they want to “eventually” compete for the title this season.

In case you missed it:

• F1 Bahrain GP: Lewis Hamilton unhappy with “average” feeling W14 after qualifying P7 in Sakhir
• “Maybe me and Toto get into the ring!” Lewis Hamilton confirms he will extend with Mercedes ‘unless…’

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