MERCEDES team principal Toto Wolff has said the team are “100 per cent committed” to keeping Lewis Hamilton.
Wolff also expects to see the former world champion chase a record eighth Formula One title next year.
This confirmation of commitment to Hamilton comes as rumours are flying around the F1 paddock.
There are even some suggestions that Hamilton could perhaps walk away from the sport altogether.
However, these have been denied by the Brit.
There has also been speculation that Mercedes will make a move to steal Charles Leclerc from Ferrari.
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Indeed, gossip emerged that Leclerc and Hamilton could swap places next year.
However, these have also been put to bed.
Ferrari are currently in a better place than Mercedes car wise, and so Leclerc will remain “fully committed” to the Italian team.
The Ferrari poster-boy took his first pole of the season with an impressive performance in the new qualifying format at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend.
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When asked about Leclerc, Wolff said: “I think he’s 100 per cent committed and loyal to Ferrari and it’s his contract.
“And in the same way we are 100 per cent committed to putting pen to paper with Lewis.”
Wolff added that no conversations had taken place between Mercedes and Ferrari.
When pressed on the subject, the Austrian executive responded that the press ‘want that headline’.
Hamilton will be 39 next year and has not won a race since the December 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
His team have since fallen behind the dominant Red Bull.
The seven-time world champion’s contract with Mercedes is set to expire at the end of the season, but Wolff has now indirectly declared that the team will offer him an extension.
Discussions about next year will likely come down to Mercedes’ ability to provide Hamilton with a car capable of truly challenging the Red Bull drivers.
The Mercedes boss added to formula1.com: “That is what it looks like at the moment, and we just need to give him a car that can do that.
“And hopefully we can get our package to a winning package this season and have something that can bring him his eighth title, and no doubt he is motivated to achieve this.
“That’s something he wants to do, that’s his ability, we have a great relationship personally.
“And with the team he’s been a strong pillar over the last 10 years, so we are in a really good place”.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
