Wolff: Mercedes ‘Never Played’ Russell Card in Lewis Hamilton F1 Contract Talks

We are on the eve of the 2021 F1 season and yet, the Mercedes-Lewis Hamilton contract saga still rumbles on. The coveted race seat of the reigning World Champion still remains vacant. However, his boss, or, God forbid, former team boss, Toto Wolff, has come forward to ease all the tension surrounding this saga.

Hinting at a new deal being finalized between the two parties, he gave a rather tongue-in-cheek response during an interview with Austrian television network ORF.

“I already threatened Lewis that I am next in line who will take the seat. But we need to adjust the car, that is the only problem.”

There have been widespread speculations surrounding the reason why Mercedes hasn’t sealed the deal. Many in the F1 community believe that they are using George Russell as leverage to lower Hamilton’s demands.

While the prodigy showcased his talent in Sakhir, Toto Wolff said his name never came up once in the negotiations.

“We never played the George Russell card on him. George did extremely well and will someday sit in a top car but in our long-term partnership, it’s not about making any threatening gestures,” said Wolff.

So why hasn’t Mercedes confirmed Lewis Hamilton yet?

This begs the question, what is causing the holdup between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes in the first place?

According to Wolff, it is more to do with finances and the two of them will have to converge at some point eventually before the season-opener in Bahrain.

“We know we want to drive together and now we just have to negotiate the contract. As is the case with negotiations you come from different corners, it’s quite normal,” said Wolff.

“We have a solid basis in our relationship, we have enjoyed great success and we want to continue that but sometimes you have to talk things out and that took us some time or is still going on, but before Bahrain, at the latest, we have to sign something.”

An arrow to the heart of Russell fanatics! But a sigh of relief for those wanting Hamilton to continue his partnership with Mercedes.

For someone gunning for a record eighth world title, it would be a major travesty to be denied a shot at glory because of a financial matter rather than his own driving ability.

Read More: ‘I Would Show Him the Door’–Former F1 Team Boss Labels Lewis Hamilton Replaceable at Mercedes