Lewis Hamilton contract: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed when the F1 champion is expected to sign on the dotted lines for an extension.
After much anticipation, Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has news on the Lewis Hamilton contract saga. Firstly, he has confirmed Lewis Hamilton will continue with the team, partnering Valtteri Bottas. Hamilton has won six of his seven titles with the German automobile giants since he joined in 2013.
“From my point of view, we’ve had such a successful run of championships in the past seven years that there is no reason not to continue. He’s on the top of his game and he will be for a while. And that’s why continuing together is a no-brainer.”
I see Lewis Hamilton will be racing next year even though his contract hasn’t been announced publicly by Mercedes.
I can relax now… pic.twitter.com/ADTvB0qfn4
— ” (@WelsZA) December 13, 2020
Wolff then goes on to reveal that the contract negotiations are undergoing, and will take time to sort out. And to avoid the constant media pressure, he has confirmed that the deal will be done before pre-season testing for the 2021 season begins.
“We always prioritized getting this championship done and not being distracted by sometimes difficult discussions as it is the nature of negotiation.”
“But then Covid struck. That delayed us a little bit but we are not worried about eventually getting it done. We are not putting a special date to it because we don’t want to be put under pressure from [the media] why it’s not signed yet. So sooner or later it needs to be done but the latest is before we go testing.”
Ineos chairman leaves Lewis Hamilton contract responsibility to Toto Wolff
Earlier today, it was announced that Mercedes’ parent Daimler, Ineos, and Toto Wolff will have equal shares of the F1 team. And despite speculation to the contrary, Toto Wolff will continue as the Team Principal. As for the Lewis Hamilton contract negotiations, Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe has left it in the hands of Wolff. Ratcliffe also spoke highly of their star driver Hamilton, calling him one of the greatest-ever in the sport.
“I’m very clear in my mind that Lewis is either the greatest or one of the two or three greatest ever racing drivers. I think there’s absolutely no question of that. He’s just got immense talent. And he’s a very likable chap, again, as I’ve got to know him a little bit.”
“But at the end of the day, all these decisions for me predominantly sit with Toto. Toto’s got to run that team. But one thing I would say about Lewis is there has been no diminution of his skills. He clearly is absolutely at the top of the game despite the fact he’s 35. There’s absolutely no sign of any change.”
