[ad_1]
Lewis Hamilton has yet to sign a new contract for next season with Mercedes; Hamilton took another big step towards the seventh title with victory at the Emilia-Romagna GP; Toto Wolff is not expected to remain as Mercedes team principal
By Matt Morlidge
Last Updated: 11/01/20 5:12 pm
Lewis Hamilton has admitted that there is “no guarantee” that he will remain in Formula 1 for 2021 despite his and Mercedes’ prolonged success, as the six-time champion spoke in depth about his future and that of team boss Toto. Wolff.
Hamilton is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the season, but has long been expected to sign. Sky sports last week he “plans” to continue competing next season, when he’s probably aiming for an eighth title.
But after his victory at the Emilia-Romagna GP, where Mercedes clinched a record-setting seventh consecutive constructors’ title, Hamilton cast unexpected doubts about the formality of his stay.
Hamilton was asked about his influential boss Wolff, who is considering leaving his role as team manager, and the fear that Mercedes will lose momentum without him when he replied at the press conference: “I don’t even know if I’m going to be here next year. it’s coming, so it’s not a concern for me right now. “
3:53 Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to the entire Mercedes team after claiming a record seventh consecutive constructors’ title
Hamilton, the F1 record holder in terms of race wins and who can seal a seventh championship equivalent to a record in the upcoming 2020 race in Turkey, added that while he feels he can deliver, he is considering his future.
“We are in November and it is crazy that Christmas is not so far away,” explained the 35-year-old. “I feel very good, I still feel very strong, I feel like I could carry on for many months.
“But you mentioned about Toto and the lifespan, there are many things that remain in my mind.
“I would like to be here next year, but there is no guarantee of that, for sure. There are many things that excite me about the afterlife. So time will tell.”
Hamilton, who joined Mercedes in 2013 before embarking on an unprecedented journey of F1 dominance, told Sky F1 last weekend that he would likely begin contract talks after closing the 2020 title.
5:12 Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admits he’s still unsure of his future in the sport, after winning a seventh consecutive constructors’ championship.
And Wolff said he didn’t quite believe Hamilton’s latest comments about his future.
“If he decides to get out of Formula 1, which I don’t think will happen and I hope it won’t, then I think we will have a pretty hectic driver market,” Wolff said. reporters.
“But I think it’s the [heat of the] moment, it’s the emotions. We are all happy but also very tired. “
Wolff added: “Nothing is certain, like Niki Lauda in the ’70s. You could wake up one morning on a Friday or Saturday on the track and say’ I’m not having fun anymore ‘, and that can happen to anyone.
“But we want to continue this journey. Lewis, myself and the whole team, we are not done.”
Wolff and Hamilton discuss the future of the team
Hamilton made his remarks reacting to Wolff’s comments to Sky Sports F1 after the race, when the team boss and CEO reiterated that he was ready to move into a different role within Mercedes.
“I’m never going to give it up because it’s something I love to do,” said Wolff, who is a co-owner of the team and has spoken of wanting to spend more time with the family.
“I think everyone has a certain lifespan on a role and I haven’t reached the end of mine. I think I can still contribute, but I need to think ahead in the future.”
“Raising someone, developing them doing this role, is something that is a fantastic challenge for me and it will be one of the next chapters. But they will see me for a while.”
Hamilton said he “understood” how Wolff was feeling and that “we have a lot of deep conversations, so I’m very aware of where he is mentally.”
“I think we carry a lot of weight together,” added Hamilton. “Jeez, I’ve been here a long, long time and I can definitely understand wanting to go back and spend more time with your family and stuff.
“I do not know who will replace him, but he is a leader, he will not put anyone [there] who won’t be able to do the job, who won’t be up to the task.
0:50 Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo shared a shoey during their podium celebrations at Imola!
“He will find the right people, which is why we have had the success that we have had. He has found the right people and put them in a position to shine as brightly as possible. He has just empowered every person on this team to be the right person. better than they can be, you will find someone who is able to take it on and carry on.
“But he is not a person, this team is not about that, it is a collective of many people. Toto does not build the car, it is a real team effort. But I support him and whatever he wants to move forward.”
[ad_2]
