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Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says there are two reasons why “money is not the decisive factor” in Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension talks.
Lewis Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2020, but no formal extension talks have been started yet. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says money will not be the “decisive factor” in the talks.
“Obviously every driver tries to negotiate a good contract,” said Wolff.
“But for two reasons, money is not the decisive factor in our forthcoming talks.
“First, Lewis knows that we are going through a major transformation process in the Daimler family. Times in the entire automotive industry are difficult and we are on the way to electrification.
“Secondly, it is much more important for Lewis that he gets a fast car and therefore the best possible tool to win world championships.
Wolff was asked about F1 managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn’s claim that the stability of the rules in 2020 will ensure a closer season.
“If he believes that, then I wonder why he changed the rules for 2021.
“It has always been our point of view that stable regulations are better. Not because it keeps our advantage, but because it’s exactly as Ross says – the longer the rules stay the same, the closer the teams move together.
However Wolff believes Mercedes will retain its dominance even after the big rule change.
“Most of the time, an era such as the one we are having ends because an important part of the team breaks away.
“But it doesn’t look like that will happen at the moment,” concluded the Austrian.
Source: Bild am Sonntag
