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Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff responds to the latest rumours surrounding Lewis Hamilton leaving the Silver Arrows to join Ferrari
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur. (Image Credit: @SportingThrow on Twitter)Throughout the 2023 Formula One season, speculation surrounding the future of Lewis Hamilton has been a hot topic. While it is highly likely that the seven-time world champion will stay with Mercedes, there has been near-constant talk about the Brit moving to Ferrari. Although Hamilton and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff have shut down these rumours on multiple occasions, they have still lingered.
Recently, however, Wolff has seemed to indicate that Hamilton’s contract renewal may not be on the cards after all. Speculation has hotted up again with rumours of Ferrari offering Hamilton £40 million to join the Scuderia. But the Mercedes boss has stepped in to put the rumours to rest.
Wolff refers to Hamilton contract negotiations as normal, and that the two are “blood brothers”
Whilst speaking to oe24, Wolff opened up about the speculation surrounding Hamilton leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari. He said:
“There rumours come up every two years when we have to sign a new contract. But none of this is true. We discuss normally, without any time pressure.”
The Mercedes boss then went on to reveal how “uncomfortable” contract negotiations are between the two men. Wolff confessed that “it’s just uncomfortable that two friends, two blood brothers who have been through thick and thin for ten years, suddenly have to discuss money.”
However, when asked whether he and Hamilton will come to an agreement that will see the seven-time world champion stay with the Silver Arrows, Wolff was crystal clear in his response. The Austrian said:
“I’m firmly convinced that we’ll find each other. There’s not a millimetre of doubt for me.”
During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Sky Sports F1 quoted Hamilton as saying that he considers the Mercedes team his “family.” So why would the seven-time world champion leave the Silver Arrows?
"It's my family" 💓
Lewis Hamilton says James Allison's return as technical director won't change anything with his contract talks with Mercedes ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XTNX1HXh6a
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 27, 2023
Will Hamilton re-sign with the team that has brought him six of his seven championships? Or will he embark on only his second team change during his long Formula One career?
Feature Image Credit: @SkySportsF1 on Twitter
