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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is ready to do whatever he can to keep the record-breaking Lewis Hamilton, while joking that he would sell the team’s factories to pay the world champion’s £ 40 million a year salary.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is ready to sell the team’s factories to keep Lewis Hamilton after his latest record win on Sunday.
Hamilton made history at the Portuguese Grand Prix with his 92nd career victory to overtake Michael Schumacher in the all-time standings.
The 35-year-old Brit is out of contract at the end of the season. But both he and Mercedes want to expand their partnership.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates after securing his 92nd Grand Prix at Portimao on Sunday
Hamilton leads Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas at the Portuguese Grand Prix
And Wolff joked that he will do everything he can to make that happen, saying of Hamilton’s £ 40 million a year worth: ‘It’s huge. We have to sell a lot of inventory. Sell the lease of the buildings just to get the money.
‘It’s a surreal number of wins. It is his absolute passion and energy that he puts into the sport that is amazing. His talent, his skill, it just stands out. ”
Hamilton’s victory at Portimao gave him a win ahead of Michael Schumacher’s once untouchable 91-win streak.
“I thought we would do so many races?” Hamilton asked after dominating the race. ‘Of course, no. This is a phenomenal moment for us. What a time to be alive.
Toto Wolff has joked that he will sell the Mercedes factories if it means keeping Hamilton on board.
Hamilton (right) beat legendary Michael Schumacher’s record on Sunday afternoon
‘I don’t believe the saying, the sky is the limit. It depends on how much we want it, how much we want to keep raising the bar and, following our history together at Mercedes, we will not sit down.
“Every race feels like the first and I don’t know how it is possible after all these years, but for me it is. We have a lot more to do, particularly in this crazy pandemic moment, and as a leading company in terms of diversity and inclusion. That keeps me inspired.
“I still feel physically strong, but of course you wonder when it’s going to lean and you start to lose performance, but judging from today, it’s still not …”
Max Verstappen, who finished third with Red Bull, led the grid tributes to the six-time champion. The nine-time race winner, 23, said: ‘Lewis says he keeps pushing because he wants to set a higher record. So I’m going to have to work hard to get there.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (right) led the Hamilton tributes after his record day
Sir Jackie Stewart, who has not always been face to face with Hamilton, praised him
“He has 92 wins and he will not stop there because he will exceed 100. It is an incredible achievement and it is driving me to drive until I am 40.”
Three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart also moved to praise Hamilton’s new record.
The 81-year-old, who has not always agreed with Hamilton, told the PA news agency: ‘I congratulate Lewis on achieving remarkable success in breaking Michael’s record.
Lewis has had an enormously impressive career, from his karting days to his association with Ron Dennis at McLaren and then of course the wonderful Mercedes-Benz. My hat is off to him for his considerable accomplishments and I wish him well in his continued career. ‘
