Written by Andrew Lwanga, Edited by Tanishka Vashee
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has revealed that he hopes seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton will remain with the team in 2022. “He has been a Mercedes driver – a Mercedes kid since his go-karting years.” Said Wolff in reference to Hamilton “He never raced a single weekend in Formula 1 without a Mercedes power unit, so it’s the logical continuation of the story.”
The team boss also said he intends to avoid a repeat of the long winding negotiations that preceded this season. Hamilton only re-signed with Mercedes in February of this year, one month before Pre-season testing. In regards to that Wolff aims to have all contract extensions settled by this year’s summer saying.
“We don’t want to leave it until January to confirm the two drivers. Valtteri [Bottas] was pretty regular during the summer – this is when it should happen. Also, to give the driver peace of mind, or be able to concentrate on the job.”
“And obviously for next year there are lots of balls in the air and we will always try to do the best for the team long-term while also giving total loyalty to our current driver line-up,” added Wolff who is also the manager of Williams and Mercedes junior driver George Russell. Russell had a stand-out performance at last year’s penultimate race where he subbed in for then COVID-stricken Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix.
Although the Hamilton-Mercedes story started very long ago the Briton didn’t join the Silver Arrows proper until 2013. Since then what followed was a period of unprecedented dominance with Mercedes winning 7 consecutive Constructor’s Championships with Hamilton himself winning six Driver’s Championships. It seems more than likely that the partnership is set to continue as the Brackley-based aim to add to their tally of Championships. Mercedes hit the ground running scoring a double podium with Hamilton winning the opening race of the season despite seemingly being at a pace deficit to RedBull.
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