Mercedes has never been the same ever since Lewis Hamilton‘s devastating defeat in 2021 in Abu Dhabi. The advent of the ground-effect regulations following that season knocked the wind out of the Silver Arrows’ sails. In 2022, the team struggled with the porpoising issues which took a toll on their drivers’ health. Currently, they lack the pace to climb back to the top. Amidst all this, Hamilton is searching for his 8th world championship title. Team boss Toto Wolff recently gave the Briton a grave reality check but delivered a promise for the future,

The Brackley-based team appeared confident during the launch of its 2023 challenger, the W14. However, reality started to set in once the testing in Bahrain started. It turned graver when they realized that they were not just anywhere near Red Bull’s pace but also had a surprise challenger in Aston Martin. That got Hamilton frustrated who openly lashed out at his team for ignoring his feedback while developing the car.

Toto Wolff delivers a sad reality check to Lewis Hamilton

Ever since Hamilton’s comments, the team is doing everything in its capacity to make him stay. The Briton is currently in the final year of his contract with Mercedes and could jump ship if he doesn’t feel they aren’t making any progress. Winning the 8th world championship title is of utmost importance to him right now and Toto realizes it all too well. He recently made a tall promise for the future but did not appear too optimistic about the present.

Formula Passion quoted Wolff as saying, “I think he (Hamilton) feels very strong and we too think that this year we will not race for the drivers’ championship. This is what it looks like at the moment.” [Translated using Google]

“We just need to give him a car that is capable of doing that, and hopefully we can build a winning package for this season and then have something more that can take him to his eighth title. I have no doubt that he is motivated to achieve this goal, this is what he loves to do, this is his ability. Personally we have a great relationship with him and within the team he has been one of the strongest pillars of the last ten years, so we are in a really good position.”

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Despite the team’s continued failure, Hamilton has time and again reiterated his loyalty to Mercedes. Wolff too has talked about the team’s commitment to signing their star driver beyond his contract’s conclusion. However, the talks seem to be going nowhere. The team boss revealed what is stalling it.

What is stalling Mercedes-Hamilton contract negotiations?

Hamilton has spent 10 years at Mercedes and has developed friendly relations with the people in Brackley. Toto is one of them. It is almost like the duo is inseparable and does not miss any chance of praising each other. That relationship, however, is exactly what is causing a delay in the contract discussions.

Speaking with ESPN recently, Wolff told, “It’s super awkward.”

“Every three years we know that we have this moment. And it’s like negotiating financial terms with your best friend, with a close friend,” he added. “How do you tackle that? Normally you don’t have such a situation.”

“I want the best for him, but in that role I need the best for the team. That can be the only time in our 10 or 11 years when we are together and our objectives diverge.”

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