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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – MAY 08: Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team Principal & CEO Toto Wolff and Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton right talk prior to the start of the Formula 1 CRYPTO.COM Miami Grand Prix on May 8, 2022 at Miami Autodrome in Miami Gardens, FL. Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 08 F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Icon79620220508149

via Imago
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – MAY 08: Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team Principal & CEO Toto Wolff and Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton right talk prior to the start of the Formula 1 CRYPTO.COM Miami Grand Prix on May 8, 2022 at Miami Autodrome in Miami Gardens, FL. Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 08 F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Icon79620220508149
With 22 races to go in the 2023 season, it will certainly be too soon to discuss the silly season, or will it? The rumors and discussions of a driver’s future with the team are never-ending. However, for the first time in almost a decade, Lewis Hamilton is at the center of this silly business. Hamilton’s contract expires at the end of 2023 and there is a belief in the Mercedes camp that the Brit might be on his way out.
However, not anytime soon as Toto Wolff revealed that to the media, quoted by BBC. The boss is “absolutely confident” the seven-time world champion will extend his partnership with the Brackley outfit. However, if the team cannot provide him with a championship-winning car in the next couple of seasons, the Brit will look elsewhere. This is building onto the rumors of the Brit joining Ferrari.
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“Nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to make sure he has the car. If we cannot demonstrate we are able to give him the car in the next couple of years, he needs to look everywhere,” he said. Currently, the W14 is not capable of winning races, let alone a championship.
Hence, the Austrian believes if Hamilton doesn’t see progress soon there is a possibility he leaves. “I don’t think he’s doing it at this stage. But I will have no grouch if that happens in a year or two,” he added.
The whole debate of Hamilton’s future balances on the performance of the cars that the team provides the Brit in the next couple of seasons. If Hamilton sees Mercedes cannot deliver him a competitive enough car, Wolff has accepted Hamilton will leave.
However, he believes the Brit is ready to give Mercedes some benefit of the doubt because of his bond.
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Lewis Hamilton will extend with Mercedes owing to the loyalty and bond with the team
The Brit has won six out of his seven championship titles with the team, and that counts for something. This is what Wolff believes as well and also revealed Hamilton is well on his way to agreeing to a contract extension. For now, Hamilton isn’t leaving, and it’s all to do with his bond with the team.

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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – NOVEMBER 15: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates winning a. 7th F1 World Drivers Championship with Mercedes GP Executive Director. Toto Wolff in parc ferme during the. F1 Grand Prix of Turkey at Intercity Istanbul Park on November 15, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
“I don’t think that Lewis will leave Mercedes. He’s at the stage of a career where we trust each other, we have formed the great bond among each other and we have no reason to doubt each other, even though this is a difficult spell. But so nice it will be when we come out of this valley of tears, and come back to solid performances.”
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WATCH THIS STORY: How a Kitchen Rendezvous Prevented Lewis Hamilton-Toto Wolff “Divorce”
With Hamilton on his way to agreeing to a contract extension, the air of uncertainty for the next few seasons is thin. However, the Brackley outfit needs to dig deep to provide Hamilton with a car that can fulfill his dream of an eighth championship. As things stand, the W14 isn’t capable!
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