Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed that talks with Lewis Hamilton over a contract extension are getting stretched out longer than he initially anticipated, but remains confident a deal will be worked out.
Hamilton has a deal at Mercedes that runs till the end of the 2023 season, but Wolff has already spoken about how getting the seven-time world champion to sign an extension was his top priority during the off season.
Hamilton is set to feature in his 11th season at Mercedes, and he has achieved six drivers’ championships during his time with the Silver Arrows.
Last season was an anomaly for Hamilton, though. It was the first time we went through an entire campaign without registering a single race win.
Will Hamilton sign new deal at Mercedes?
However, Wolff feels the disappointment of the 2022 season has helped motivate Hamilton to prolong his career even more.
“Our talks have always been going okay. I think we’ve done it three times now [negotiated contracts],” he said.
“We are changing a sentence, or a word, or a number here and there.”
“He wouldn’t want a zero less!
“All is going to be good. I don’t think this is about closure for him. An eighth title would be wonderful because he deserves it, and only he and Michael Schumacher have seven.
“It’s more about doing what he loves, what he does best. If we provide him with a good car, there is nothing between him and an eighth title.”
Hamilton will line up for Mercedes alongside George Russell when pre-season testing gets underway in Bahrain next week.
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