06 May 2023 , 16:04
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Toto Wolff has no concerns that Lewis Hamilton might not extend his Mercedes career despite no progress yet on a contract extension.
The seven-time world champion's current deal expires at the end of this season. Both driver and team boss promised to thrash out terms over the winter, but an extension never materialised and, amid Mercedes' performance struggles, the topic has been put on the back burner.
Naturally, that has led to plenty of speculation over what might lie ahead for Hamilton. Some have suggested the 38-year-old might retire, but that seems unlikely given he has maintained peak physical fitness and appears to have a renewed passion for Formula 1.
Other rumours have suggested he might join another team if he feels he might have a better chance of a title challenge. Hamilton has admitted fantasising about a McLaren return or racing in the iconic Ferrari colours, but repeatedly insists his loyalties remain with the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes chief Wolff also says he has no concerns on that front. Speaking to reporters in Miami, he asserted Hamilton will eventually sign fresh terms – explaining that the delay is because there is simply no need to rush.
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He said: "It's 11 years that we've been together. Every single time when we talk about Lewis's contract, it takes months of, 'Where we are? What is happening?' And we keep saying the same thing: that it is rolling on.
Toto Wolff has no concerns about Hamilton's future (Lynne Sladky/AP/REX/Shutterstock)"There's not any difficult contract negotiations, it's just putting different numbers in there and that's what we're doing and we're working on this. It's a work in progress, bouncing emails back and forth and eventually we're going to sign it."
Charles Leclerc has been heavily linked with a Mercedes move if the team needs to find a Hamilton replacement. A prominent Italian journalist claimed the Monegasque has already held talks with Wolff, but the Ferrari star insisted there was "zero truth" in the report.
Wolff also said he has not sat down with Leclerc, but admitted that the 25-year-old is on his "long-term radar". But the Austrian added: "He is 100% committed to Ferrari, and we are 100% committed to putting pen to paper with Lewis."