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British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (left) poses with Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team (right) as they celebrate in the pits with his team after the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari Race Track in Imola, Italy, on November 1, 2020 (Photo by Luca Bruno / POOL / AFP)
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff may review his role as leader of the seven-time Formula One record champions, but he doesn’t think his glorious partnership with Lewis Hamilton will end.
The Austrian manager made this clear Sunday night after the six-time champion’s 93rd career victory secured the teams’ title this season, following comments from Hamilton that suggested he might be considering retiring.
“I think we go together somehow. We have symbiosis and it is obviously important where our hearts and minds are for next year, ”said Wolf.
“But I have said that this is my team. I’m in a very proud corner with Mercedes and I’m not going anywhere.
“My role may change, and that is something he has asked me, and I think nothing is certain.
“We want to continue this journey. We are not done. Lewis, me and the whole team, we are not done. “
Speaking earlier, after a race in which he came home ahead of his’ Black Arrows’ teammate Valtteri Bottas, extending his lead over him in the drivers’ title race to 85 points, Hamilton had said “no there was a guarantee “that it would. be in F1 next year.
When asked about Wolff’s desire to put a long-term succession plan in place in preparation for his departure, Hamilton had said: “I don’t even know if I’ll be here next year so it’s not a concern for me at the time.
“I am very aware of where he is, mentally, and I think we share a lot and carry a lot of weight together.
“I’ve been here a long, long time. I can definitely understand wanting to go back a bit and spend more time with family and stuff. “
‘Right moment’
Wolff suggested that Hamilton’s comments had come “in the heat of the moment” and went on to explain why both men had delayed signing new contracts with the team for next season and beyond.
“With Mercedes and I, we have it quite clear. It all comes down to putting the pen on paper at the right time, ”said Wolff.
“I was focused on bringing these championships home and I always feel bad spending days with lawyers and M&A. [mergers and acquisitions) people when I’m so focused on just what’s happening on track.
“I think that this is where Lewis and I are very similar. It just didn’t feel the right opportune moment to sit down before those championships were done.
“There will be a moment now, when the drivers’ championship is going to be decided, to sit down. And then we have a few months before the first race happens in Australia.”
Hamilton is likely to seal his record-equalling seventh drivers’ championship triumph at the Turkish Grand Prix later this month before switching his attention to a possible new contract.
That landmark title, added to his other record achievements, will increase his commercial and professional value at a time when Mercedes, and F1, have expansive plans and a salary cap for drivers is under serious consideration.
Cynics may believe his perplexing comments on Sunday to be part of a mood-changing strategy for any upcoming contract negotiations — with the sport’s ruling bodies, as much as Mercedes, sensitive to the damage his departure would create.
If he were to walk away, it would create havoc in the drivers’ market – a possibility Mercedes may not have countenanced seriously – and leave a gaping hole at the top of the bill as the sport’s only global superstar.
There are, however, no other active multiple record-beating world champions available.
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