Lewis Hamilton says the decision will be made regarding his Mercedes contract as both he and Toto Wolff says it is not about money.
Seven time WDC Hamilton’s Mercedes contract expires at the end of the current campaign. Even now almost at the halfway stage of the season, there is always discussion about where a driver will be the following year and the Brit would always be a special case because of who he is.
Lately, Mercedes have introduced several upgrades and in terms of results they would appear to be headed in the right direction but hopefully it will produce the results that he and the team want despite still being a long way behind Red Bull, if it does not happen though, the question might be where will he be in 2024?
As of now there is no problems for Hamilton to continue with Mercedes beyond 2023 and the discussions are already on which is mostly non-financial. “No, no, that’s not what I’m thinking,” he said when asked if the current form is a factor. “Before the end of the season we will be already well into the contract. I still have 100% faith in this team”.
“And it has taken longer for all of us to get to where we want to be. And it’s definitely not easy. But I believe that we will get there. I think we’ve just got to continue to work and chip away at it. And that’s what we’re trying to do. That’s why we’ve got the upgrade here for the front wing, we will have bits over the following races, hopefully”.
“It could come soon enough. But I’m pushing as hard as I can. I was having big meetings with the team earlier this week, speaking to the head of aero, to the head of vehicle dynamics, trying to… Also with what’s in mind for next year’s car,” summed up Hamilton.
As it stands, it is understood that money is not one of the hold ups regarding the contract as noted above. Both Hamilton and Mercedes are discussing their roles in the team as it stands along with other projects. However, no matter what, there would appear to be a level of uncertainty around a long term deal.
Hamilton had spoken of continuing in the sport for another five seasons. There has also been disagreement around an ambassadorial deal with Hamilton looking for a 10 year deal and while Wolff appeared to confirm Hamilton’s future at Mercedes advising that terms and contractual duration have already been finalised.
“This is not a money discussion at all” stated Wolff. “It is about the future, what is it that we want to do right and optimise?” We are not talking anything anymore about duration, money, all of that – it’s other topics.”
Here’s Toto Wolff on Mercedes-powered cars surge
Here’s Mercedes expands on sim work, British GP strategies
Here’s Lando Norris on Lewis Hamilton fight
