Motor racing-Wolff says Mercedes have began contract talks with Hamilton
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By Alan Baldwin
LONDON (Reuters) – Mercedes have began contract extension talks with seven-times Formulation One world champion Lewis Hamilton and age is not going to be an element within the negotiations, workforce boss Toto Wolff stated on Wednesday.
Hamilton, winner of a file 103 grands prix, turned 38 in January and might be beginning his eleventh season at Mercedes in March.
Wolff advised reporters after the launch of the workforce’s new W14 automotive at Silverstone that he and Hamilton, whose present contract expires on the finish of 2023, had been in no hurry to get something signed.
“We have had a primary chat however I do not need to decide to any timeline as a result of it isn’t necessary for him nor for us… it runs a full 12 months and we’ll discover the proper time,” stated the Austrian.
Wolff batted away a query about age and period, with Hamilton the second oldest driver on the beginning grid after Aston Martin’s 41-year-old double champion Fernando Alonso.
“I feel the age, 38, performs no position for this subsequent contract in case you take a look at how properly high athletes on the earth have pushed the boundaries,” he stated, referencing NFL quarterback Tom Brady who just lately retired at 45.
Wolff stated earlier contract negotiations had not been advanced aside from the plain phrases.
“When it comes to the contractual state of affairs, we have at all times discovered good options that mirror his worth for the workforce and for the game and on the opposite facet I feel Mercedes is the place he needs to be.
“These items have by no means been a contentious level. Nothing’s dragging on, The alignment is nice… it is virtually not like a primary precedence sitting down as a result of that is going to be a journey that may proceed.”
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, modifying by Christian Radnedge)
