© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Toto Wolff confirms contract negotiations with Lewis Hamilton will resume after the winter break. Also, INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives praise to Lewis.
At the 2020 livery and new partnership unveiling Mercedes boss Toto Wolff talked about Lewis Hamilton’s future with the team. The Briton’s contract expires at the end of the year.
“I think it is the obvious pairing going forward,” said Wolff of the Mercedes – Hamilton partnership.
“We want the fastest man in the car and I guess Lewis will want to be in the fastest car so there is an obvious mutual outcome.
“We travel around the world almost 10 months of the year and get on each other’s nerves every other weekend and what we do over the winter is leave each other in peace.
“The last conversation I had with him was in the evening before the Christmas party, where we had a nice chat and said we would continue our discussion on his future once he is back from America and we start the season.
“I have great belief in the team to attract the best drivers and at the moment Lewis has proven he is the best current driver with his six titles.
“In the medium and long-term we hope we can continue to provide technology to the best driver and attract them.”
Wolff went on to talk about his own future with the team, as his contract also expires at the end of 2020.
“I’m the managing partner in the team and I have to pinch myself to be in the team.
“We are planning our long-term strategy with Daimler and with Jim coming in his partnership is another building block. So, our sails are set for the future.
“But like Lewis, we are still discussing it so I will not give a date.”
At the event INEOS was announced as the team’s new principal partner. The chemical company’s chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe also gave his opinion on the six-time champion.
“I’ve only ever met Lewis and his dog for five minutes so I don’t know him but I am a great admirer,” said the Briton.
“I think he is one of the greatest driver to ever stride on the earth.
“He is an extremely talented man but in terms of the future that decision is down to Toto and not me.”
Source: crash.net
