With Mercedes’ underwhelming performance in the first race of the season, Skysports host Simon Lazenby hinted Lewis Hamilton could switch to Ferrari in 2024. Hamilton’s current contract situation adds weight to the rumor that the Briton could end up ties with Mercedes by the end of the year.
Since then, multiple murmurs have occurred across several media outlets about the potential mega-move in Formula 1. But at the end of the day, it’s not sure whether Hamilton’s loyalty lies with Mercedes, as he is yet to commit to the Silver Arrows beyond 2023.
However, amidst the dramatic speculations, another Mercedes’ key man Toto Wolff’s wish to serve Ferrari, resurfaced. He confesses had the Maranello-based team approached him earlier; he would have been one of the Tifosi.
Toto Wolff could have joined Ferrari
Before becoming Mercedes’ team principal, Wolff was at Williams as an executive director. During that stint, he had elevated his reputation, but he never thought Mercedes would come for him. He is grateful for the trust and opportunity that was granted to him by the Daimler Group.
However, when asked if it had been Ferrari, would the 51-year-old boss have joined the Maranello-based outfit? Wolff replies with an affirmative in the answer.
“If Ferrari had come around the corner and miraculously offered me such a position, it would have been the same (as Mercedes),” said Wolff on Beyond the Grid.
Under Wolff’s charge, Mercedes had the longest championship running streak in F1 ever. On the other hand, ever since Wolff took Mercedes’ reign, Ferrari had appointed five different team principals. If Wolff had been there, who knows, the Maranello-based team could have seen more success and leadership stability.
Lewis Hamilton is yet to sign an extension
Hamilton’s links with Ferrari root from him not signing a contract extension with Mercedes. The Briton race driver’s agreement with his team would end in 2023. Yet, there is no whiff around when Hamilton would commit his future to them.
Hamilton’s former teammate Jenson Button claims the 38-year-old is delaying because of Mercedes’ struggles and would only add years onto his Mercedes stint if he sees progress. Therefore, it’s on Hamilton to dwindle down the rumors by signing a contract extension and staying true to his word that he wants to end his F1 career at Mercedes.
According to the last update, Mercedes and Hamilton are currently negotiating the deal. The new agreement would likely make Hamilton the highest-paid star in F1 once again after Max Verstappen surpassed him when he signed a colossal deal with Red Bull after winning the 2021 title.
Also read: Max Verstappen On Fernando Alonso Hit-List As El Plan Sets Into Motion
