Toto Wolff provides Hamilton Mercedes contract update

Mercedes

Wolff provides Hamilton Mercedes contract update

Hamilton and Wolff have both revealed a desire to continue the partnership

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:33 Updated: 14:28

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed he has held a "first chat" with Lewis Hamilton over a new contract but insists there is no rush to complete a deal.

The seven-time champion enters his 11th campaign with the Brackley-based team off the back of a disappointing 2022 season in which he failed to score a pole position or win for the first time in his F1 career.

Hamilton indicated a desire to stretch his time with Mercedes another five years last year, with both parties looking to extend the existing partnership.

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But speaking after the launch of the new W14, Wolff explained: "We have done a few of these contracts in the past and they change little from iteration to iteration so it is not usually complex apart from the obvious terms.

"We have had a first chat but I don't want to commit to any timeline because it is not important to him or to us at this stage.

"It runs a full year and we are going to find the right time."

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— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 15, 2023

Age plays no role

At 38 years old, Hamilton is the second-oldest driver on the grid after Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso.

But adamant this is no deterrent for any aspect of a potential deal, Wolff said: "The age, 38, plays no role for this next contract.

"If you look at how well top athletes in the world have pushed the boundaries - I am thinking about Tom Brady who is 44 or 45 and still on the pitch throwing a ball and being tackled, so the age plays no role."

On the financial aspect of a contract extension, Wolff added: "We have always found good solutions that have found good value for the team and for the sport and on the other side, I think Mercedes is the place he wants to be.

"These things have never been a contentious point but nothing is dragging on."

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