F1 News
Wolff sees Hamilton continuing in F1 for another five years
Lewis Hamilton has now been part of Mercedes' F1 team for almost 11 years. The Briton switched from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013 and has signed with the German constructor until 2025. Team boss Toto Wolff thinks the seven-time world champion will continue beyond.
Wolff still angry about 2021
It was a big surprise that Hamilton would swap the McLaren for Mercedes after 2012. However, this proved to be a great choice by the Briton. During his time at Mercedes, Hamilton won six drivers' titles. In 2021, the driver was even very close to a record-breaking eighth world title in total, but the 2021 title eventually went to Max Verstappen.
That still doesn't sit well with Wolff, as revealed in an interview with Independent.co.uk. "I have a personal anger, and drive to make him win the eighth title because he should have had it," said the Austrian. Wolff has at least until 2025 to complete that task, but thinks Hamilton could also continue for longer.
Hamilton longer at Mercedes?
"We are living from contract-to-contract, and it is important that we are doing what we think is right and what we feel is right, and at the moment I personally feel he can go longer," the team boss explained. Looking at Alonso, Wolff thinks it is anything but impossible. "He is 39 in January, and Fernando (Alonso – 42) is still going strong."
The Austrian knows his team must deliver to keep the seven-time world champion. "We just need to give him a car that is quick enough. And, as a driver, I have no doubt about him. You have seen in the last races that his performance, speed and race craft are all there. But, if he doesn’t have the car underneath him, he cannot win," the Mercedes team boss concluded.