© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says he expects Lewis Hamilton’s new contract to be announced “soon”, but doesn’t expect a three-year deal.
Recently Toto Wolff said the new ‘deadline’ for Hamilton’s new contract with Mercedes to be signed in by the time the Bahrain Grand Prix rolls around. In an interview with RTL the Austrian was asked is an announcement could be expected soon.
“Soon is a flexible term, but yeah soon,” said Wolff.
Some rumours have suggested that one point of contention between the two parties is the length of the new deal. According to those rumours Lewis would like a three-year deal, while Mercedes would like a shorter commitment. Wolff was asked if the thought a three-year deal was possible.
“I don’t assume that. We see in the near future a development not only with the cost cap, but also with the technical regulation and you have to keep your eyes open.
“So we are still discussing what the right term is.”
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While Hamilton’s deal is yet to be agreed upon, Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko hinted that there could be some dissension among Mercedes’ ranks, something his team could possibly exploit in the future.
“It is already January and the two sides have not yet found each other,” Marko said.
“The whole situation is of course creating turmoil in the Mercedes team. Let’s hope that we Bull can benefit from that.”
Wolff completely shoots down such assumptions.
“We have a good relationship with each other which is much more than a professional relationship, but a friendship. Lewis is important not only for the team, but for the Mercedes brand.
“But the landscape is changing now. We have big regulation change next year and we have the cost cap that will hit us hard this year.
“These are all factors that have played a role in our discussions. Also, of course looking at the future, and then it goes into detail.
“And we don’t want to be put under pressure, it should be a reasonable agreement. We are not far away from that,” concluded Wolff.
