A Team Principal plays a huge role in attracting a driver. Look at how Toto Wolff looked after George Russell. And when it came to choosing a team, Russell didn’t have any doubts and joined Mercedes. Toto Wolff has now used his relationship with Susie Wolff amid Lewis Hamilton’s uncertain future to restore things back to peace. How did Wolff use the relationship?
Lewis Hamilton and his contract with Mercedes have been drawn for a very long time. Toto Wolff earlier advised that it’s just the formality that is remaining. However, many speculations have been going around that advice that the contract duration hasn’t been decided. It is rumored that Hamilton has asked for a 10-year contract out of which 2 are active racing while the other 8 are as an ambassador.
"We as a team, and Lewis as a driver, we didn’t have a lot of credit and sympathy because we won so many times and we became the underdog in that moment."@MercedesAMGF1 team principal Toto Wolff on the legacy of @LewisHamilton's 2021 title defeat:https://t.co/bjWfHz6ser#F1
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) July 30, 2023
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The relationship between Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton deteriorated ever since the Austrian GP where Wolff asked Hamilton to “please drive the car” Toto Wolff has now come out with his Susie Wolff analogy to restore the peace between the two. For those who don’t know, Susie is Toto’s partner. The Austrian explained how the fact that two people are having an argument doesn’t mean they get a divorce.
According to Race Fans, Toto Wolff said, “The kind of analogy I gave to him is that also I have arguments with Susie [Wolff, his wife]. Even if we shout [at] each other, which doesn’t happen a lot, but even if we have these arguments, there’s never thought of divorcing. And that’s why I said to him ‘I don’t want to divorce you, and neither do you, because I want the best racing drivers in our cars and you want to have the best car’.”
Despite the fact that there are differences between Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton regarding different issues, it does not mean that he will leave Mercedes. However, Hamilton’s speculated 10-year deal might be a problem for Toto Wolff from his self point of view.
Toto Wolff to pay part of Lewis Hamilton’s salary as ambassador
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Toto Wolff owns 1/3rd of the Mercedes AMG F1 team. If Lewis Hamilton does get the 10-year contract, the 8 Ambassador year salary will also be paid by Toto Wolff as he owns a part of the company. While Eneos and Mercedes will benefit from the Marketing, there is no personal gain for Toto Wolff.
According to Motorsport-Total.com, Ralf Schumacher said, “Accordingly, I believe that he is looking for long-term cooperation with Mercedes after his active career. And I think that’s exactly the sticking point. Because Mercedes is of course only one-third of the owner of the team. This is also a cost issue, and I think it’s taking a bit long at the moment. Does Mercedes want and can afford it?” [Translated via Google]
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Watch this Story: How 10-year-old friendship between Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff is coming in the way of $35 million worth contract renewal
What do you think? Will Hamilton stay at Mercedes? Will Mercedes accept the terms?