Lewis Hamilton praises Toto Wolff for patience over contract negotiations

Lewis Hamilton has praised Team Principal Toto Wolff over his patience throughout the lengthy contract negotiations, following confirmation of Hamilton's extended two-year Mercedes contract.

Both parties began talks over a new deal before the season had begun, however, Hamilton who is known for negotiating his own deals, stated he was never in a rush to put pen to paper, knowing there was trust in his relationship with Wolff.

"Toto is a great human being and a great manager and we've got a great relationship and it's just gone from strength to strength," Hamilton told reporters.

"We've had our ups and downs through this journey as every relationship does, but it has been one of a lot of growth and I really appreciate Toto [Wolff] in being so patient with me, because I'm not the easiest.

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"I think most people would not have been given the timeframe I chose to take, but the one thing it shows is the trust we have between each other.

"I said from day one, I'm not looking anywhere else, I'm not talking to anybody else, I'm not investigating to see what other options there are, I'm not playing you against anyone else.

"Whilst I know you have drivers calling you, which I expect. I also trust you're not thinking of doing anything else, so we can take our time."

"It's been great, I've been really happy with the process, I really enjoy that negotiation phase. It's intense, it's a learning experience because you learn a lot about the person you're speaking to, it's an interesting dynamic, but one that I've enjoyed doing."

Hamilton added: "I'm really excited about the plan, my mental focus on what I want to do within this team and achieve in this team with them which I'm not going elaborate on, but I'm excited about this journey in these next couple of years.

"I think we can do some great things."