Mercedes’ Formula 1 team boss Toto Wolff says he has had a “first chat” with Lewis Hamilton over extending his contract at the team.
Hamilton’s current deal expires at the end of the 2023 campaign, as he penned a two-year extension following the 2021 season.
The Briton is currently chasing a record-breaking eighth F1 title, a feat he almost achieved in 2021 before he lost out on the last lap to Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances.
Hamilton’s F1 future has been up in the air for some time – however he asserts that Mercedes’ slump in form last year has encouraged him to extend his stay in the sport.
Speaking at the launch of Mercedes’ W14 car on Wednesday, Wolff suggested that early conversations have taken place with Hamilton.
“I think as I said before we have done a few of these contracts in the past and they change little from iteration to iteration so it’s not usually complex, apart from the obvious terms,” he said.
“We’ve had a first chat. But I don’t want to commit to any timeline as it’s not important for us or him at this stage, it runs a full year, and we’re going to find the right time.”
Hamilton endured his first win-less campaign in 2022, with Mercedes taking just a sole grand prix win during the year through George Russell.
At 38 years of age, Hamilton is one of the more senior drivers in the sport – but Mercedes says that it is not a factor that’s being considered in negotiations.
“I think the age, 38, plays no role for this next contract,” Wolff said. “If you look at how well athletes, top athletes, have pushed the boundaries.
“I’m thinking about Tom Brady, 44/45, he’s on the pitch throwing a ball and being tackled, so the age plays no role.
“In terms of the contractual situation, I think we’ve always found good solutions that reflect his value for the team and the sport, and on the other side Mercedes is the place he wants to be. these things have never been a contentious point.
“You mentioned dragging on, nothing is dragging on, the alignment is great, and like in the years before I think it caused more hysteria with you that we didn’t announce anything.
“But within us it was no problem to sort things out during the winter before actually going racing because it was always clear we were going to do that.
“It’s almost like not like a first priority, sitting down, as this is going to be a journey that will continue.”
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