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Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton contract talks are “moving towards a satisfactory outcome”.
Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2020 and the new deal has not yet been agreed upon. After three triple header blocks of races, Wolff says the discussions will intensify during upcoming ‘larger gaps’ between race weekends.
“This is a work in progress, and I wouldn’t want to commit to a specific date [to complete the deal with Hamilton],” Wolff said.
“We get on very well, but then when it comes down to the detail, you just need enough time to do that.
“With one race after the other, we don’t want to really be distracted by contract talks. In between the larger gaps, like next week, we’re moving towards a satisfactory outcome.
“But I don’t know when we will announce it.”
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The Austrian was then asked if the contract is actually just a formality.
“We didn’t look at the contract for the last three years, and never took it out of the drawer,” Wolff answered.
“Sometimes situations change, and the environment changes, and therefore this is a time where it’s another stint, another part of the journey that we want to go together.
“We’re just debating,” concluded Mercedes’ team boss.
In recent comments quoted by motorsport-total.com, Hamilton explained what he focuses on in his contract negotiations.
“I am lucky to have been able to negotiate my last two or three contracts myself,” said the Briton.
“Every time you learn something during the whole process. I’m not someone who wants the same thing over and over again.
“You grow together as a team and therefore have to make sure that our values, goals and wishes are in harmony. That’s how you see how you can make more of it.
“Toto and I know each other. It’s not our first rodeo together.
“It’s a pleasant experience,” concluded Hamilton.
