Wolff holds Hamilton's contract extension with Mercedes in the balance

12:22, 24 Jul 2022
35 Comments

Lewis Hamilton will start his 300th race of his career this weekend. The British driver seems to be entering his final season in Formula 1, but Toto Wolff told Crash.net that the seven-time world champion will stay under contract with the German team for a longer period.

Last season Hamilton decided to extend his contract until the end of 2023, giving Mercedes one and a half more seasons to rely on the Briton's services. After that there is a possibility that the driver will quit his team. However, Wolff believes there is a good chance Hamilton will remain loyal to the team.

Hamilton, who has been under contract with Mercedes since 2013, is still good enough, according to the team boss. "We talked a few weeks ago about how long our partnership can go and the figure discussed was about five to 10 years, so I think we can go to 400," Wolff stated.

Possibility of more world titles for Hamilton

The Austrian added that he believes Hamilton is capable of not only securing his eighth world title yet but also of going for double figures. However, Wolff believes Mercedes must first ensure the driver has a car capable of winning races.

35 Comments
LukeF1 24 July 2022 at 13:10+ 2354

Man seeing these comments I am kinda done with this blog. It is impossible to find reasonable people with balanced opinions or they are burried under mountains of hate and bias. I will return to the real world and stick to watching races and observing facts. You guys keep the circlejerk going and feeding whatever narrative you like. Nothing can take you out of it even a little. I am out.

Hekate 24 July 2022 at 13:23+ 21351

Shame, I enjoy your comments, but I can understand why you feel this way. Reading the comments above is like watching angry teenagers fight. Sad and a little pitiful.

Jeroentje 24 July 2022 at 13:43+ 20219

@LukeF1 Same reason I'm more absent lately, got more important things to do and worry about than people who are on purpose fighting, insulting and provoking which seems to be not a big issue to the site mods. Been trying to debate normally and get people to stop this behavior for over 6 months but they'll never learn or just do all this on purpose.

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ibohunt 24 July 2022 at 14:54+ 9614

Don't let those cult like poster folk (from all sides) run you off. Your posts are clear and had thought behind them. This blog needs that to offset those Netflix generation social media trolls from taking over. It's difficult and laborious at times however please remain vigilant.

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YenneferOfVengerberg 24 July 2022 at 20:07+ 943

Hey LukeF1, Just understand that these blokes don't come from good families. They probably are in depression or face violence in their homes. Take it easy on them. There are lot of Lewis fans here, we know what he is capable of. Soon he will get his rightfully deserved 8th championship.

LukeF1 25 July 2022 at 11:00+ 2354

I am not looking into the reasons why some people are like this, you are right there can be many. Just the environment created is not worth putting the energy in writing a long and thoughtful comment like I usually try to do. You know I have tried to make people see each other's views and make an actual dialogue even if they disagree but usually it's a waste. Oh well... It's unfair not to mention that there are also users I appreciate though, some of which commented here. No matter who you support.

Anthony Bailey 25 July 2022 at 03:51+ 4524

Amen !!!

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F1King33 24 July 2022 at 13:07+ 6684

Toto loves Lewis more then his wife. 5-10 years contract extension? Lol lol Lewis would be on grid till 47-48 , that would be just another ‘record’. But , as said he should have car which is 1-2 seconds faster per lap to other teams and they should call back Valtteri as well , he is much younger then Lewis. Lol lol

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Ice 24 July 2022 at 12:41+ 10840

Lewis has always been toto golden boy and toto will do anything to keep him .even when there better younger up coming drivers

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Supremus.Maximus 24 July 2022 at 12:42+ 2202

He clearly said he wants Lewis to wins races & titles, which means he will give him preference over Russell. This is why Lewis is getting updates on the car before him. Feel sorry for Russell

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Prinsje 24 July 2022 at 12:47+ 18804

Which is actually a rare thing to see. Cuz normally the driver higher up inthe standings gets the first updates

Archibald Keyser 24 July 2022 at 13:13+ 2373

Now that Hamilton is showing George a pair of heels, you lot are now coming up with these baseless claims. Pathetic!

Shaul Ezra 07 August 2022 at 07:04+ 71

1. Maybe he should say he doesn’t want him to win races or championships? I just don’t get you guys. Does it mean he wouldn’t like to see GR win races and championships too? Is it contradicting? What should we say about Horner’s preference of Max on any other young driver joining the program? Is it okay for him to favor Max? 2. You actually have no idea ahh? You read one article telling you Lewis got a new wing before Russell, does it make it a trend over the season. Truth is Mercedes bring updates at the same time to both drivers in the majority of the cases. Moreover, Lewis was the ginuea pig in the 10 first races of the season, how do you explain that the 7 time world champion was the one battling the car to try and improve it. Look, at the end of the day if you can’t admit or understand that Lewis is a force of nature you’ll keep writing things that will embarrass you and the people reading it. Lewis is master in giving feedbacks and he is crucial for the development of a winning car, after all he’s, again, a seven tome world champion!

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Prinsje 24 July 2022 at 13:26+ 18804

Baseless? this has always been the case in most teams. You must be a dts fan new to the sport not knowing about this. Glad you learned something

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Supremus.Maximus 24 July 2022 at 13:42+ 2202

We just shared a base for you. Let me repeat the basis: - 1. Toto himself said he wants Lewis to win more titles, which shares his preference over Russell. 2. Lewis got updates before Russell. Why? This is the BASIS now and is evidential that Toto is favoring Lewis over Russell.

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Mark from Canada 24 July 2022 at 14:54+ 10415

George is quite tall and doesn't need any of Lewis' high heel shoes.

BushyBB 24 July 2022 at 13:13+ 857

Like RBR would have done for VER to make him the youngest everything in the history books…………

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Supremus.Maximus 24 July 2022 at 12:36+ 2202

Confirmation from the Horse's mouth - Toto prefers Lewis (his favorite driver) over Russell.

Anthony Bailey 24 July 2022 at 17:02+ 4524

Is that the best you got? Now GR is no longer the Hamilton slayer, it must be Mrecedes that is stopping him beating Hamilton. How delusional you trolls are. Maybe Hamilton is better than GR or anybody else on the grid. Get it now LOL ? The "human error" safety car champ ( Verstappen ) should enjoy his easy WDC this year (2022), fighting against a disfunctional Ferrari. Next year, with no Masi and a rejuvenated Mercedes and Hamilton, playtine is over for the fake safety car champ Just saying

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Bret 24 July 2022 at 12:32+ 43891

And what about George who is a better skilled driver than Lewis? Toto is clearly backing Lewis here, and favouring him over George.

Archibald Keyser 24 July 2022 at 13:08+ 2373

Far fetched wishfuĺl thinking to suggest George is more skillfull!

Anthony Bailey 24 July 2022 at 16:56+ 4524

The anti-Hamiton trolls are in shock at how easily Hamilton is beating GR. That is what happens when Hamilton is no longer being used as the guinea pig for Mercedes team, trying new and different setups as he was in the earlier races. FACT

Archibald Keyser 25 July 2022 at 13:19+ 2373

Hamilton haters have lost hope now. There is no one at Hamilton's level; at least since 2007 to date; that much is clear now.

Stef1an 24 July 2022 at 14:05+ 1427

Keep doing this to George and I hope he will move to RB or F from 2024. Will be a great loss for Merc for comming years. It is disrespectful in regard to George. All year Toto was blind to George success. It is not charity to sign him at Merc. It is securing a great pilot.

Dang 24 July 2022 at 14:31+ 3050

It would be great times if george goes over...not sure he will be as cooperative as checco is at times...so be careful what you wish for....

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Bret 24 July 2022 at 14:33+ 43891

The problem is he has nowhere to go above Mercedes. If Lewis doesnt retire by 2023 (rumour has it that he will), then you can bet that George will look for another seat (Perhaps Mclaren) because Toto will crush his confidence by openly backing Lewis over George. Priority on updates and publicly announcing that Lewis will win championships was silly of Toto; he is openly favouring Lewis and indirectly telling George that the priority in the team is Lewis Hamilton. George will become another Bottas; crushed via lack of confidence...... I see a race & championship winner in George Russell. He is mighty fast & skilled in race craft and one of the best drivers on a wet circuit.

Stef1an 24 July 2022 at 14:43+ 1427

Well said! I just hope he will not turn bitter or, even worse, letting Toto toxic style to rubb on him. Was thinking more to Ferrari replacing Sainz.

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Bret 24 July 2022 at 14:50+ 43891

Thanks Mate, Enjoy the race. Sainz has improved a lot since Canada, so he is staying put in Ferrari and rightly so :)

Shaul Ezra 25 July 2022 at 11:23+ 71

You just talk for the sake pf talking man. So maybe Toto should favor Russell who didn’t even win a race in his career?? The thing you don’t get is that Lewis is currently the lead driver. And Toto isn’t favoring anybody, he just wants to make sure his most successful driver in history has confidence because Lewis is a proven world champion! You talk about GR as if 10 races in Mercedes makes him a super power. Check Lewis pace over the whole season and you’ll see he is just consistently faster than GR in race. GR is brilliant but he is still not LH44, it will take long before. Try to moderate your hate toward LH cause it makes you talk stupid thongs

Shaul Ezra 05 August 2022 at 01:29+ 71

You’re right! I shouldn’t say it’s stupid, i just completely disagree with you. I think you underestimate Lewis and you are clearly among few people who thinks GR is better skilled

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Bret 25 July 2022 at 11:39+ 43891

On ignore troll. Calling every comment stupid is not going to support your cause. Russell is a far superior skilled driver than Lewis and the world can clearly see Toto favouring Lewis;

Anthony Bailey 24 July 2022 at 16:57+ 4524

Whatever, dude.

Shaul Ezra 25 July 2022 at 11:17+ 71

Better skilled???!

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Scissmmm 24 July 2022 at 12:28+ 18252

10 titels for what's his name? Only if F1 and FIA continue to tolerate foul play from Toto. Man i'm getting sick of this sport like this. Feels like watching a Godfather film. ?

Shaul Ezra 25 July 2022 at 11:17+ 71

And you continue with your stupid comments