© Paul Ripke for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas said their future with Mercedes doesn’t depend on what Toto Wolff decides to do post 2020.
In the Friday Spanish Grand Prix press conference Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said he is still considering his future post 2020. The Austrian’s contract with Mercedes will expire at the end of the year.
Earlier this year Lewis Hamilton said he would like to know if Wolff plans on continuing with Mercedes before he decides what he wants to do after his contract expires at the end of the year.
However, at the Spanish Grand Prix Saturday press conference the Briton said his future doesn’t depend of Wolff’s.
“What you’ve got to remember is that it’s a team of so many people,” said Hamilton.
“There’s almost 2,000 people in the team, or something like that. It’s not just down to one person, one individual. So yes, that’s not determining whether or not I stay.
“I’ve been a part of growing with this team and growing with that growth. The strength is there through and through, so, as I said, it’s not just one individual.
“I think everyone has to do what’s best for them. What’s best for their career and happiness at the end of the day.
“I think it’s smart for him. I think everyone needs to sit, take a moment and evaluate what they want to do moving forwards. Whether it suits them and their families and their future dreams.
“We’ve done so much already together in this period of time. I hope he stays, because it’s fun working with him, and it’s fun negotiating with him and fun having the ups and downs.
“So, I’m truly grateful to Toto and I’ll be fully supportive in whatever he decides to do,” concluded the Briton.
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Wolff has also been a part of Valtteri Bottas’ management team and was instrumental in bringing the Finn to Mercedes. However, Bottas also says his future will not depend on what Wolff decides to do.
“I think Toto has been a really important part of the team and being a big part of helping the team to get to the state where it is now,” said the Finn.
“But just like Lewis said, it’s not all about one person, we’re a big team, there are so many important personnel in the team, and everyone needs to be able to work together so I really agree that whatever he does, I just hope he makes a decision what he really wants to do and it makes him happy.
“That’s it, that’s what life’s all about – only do things that make you happy, follow your dreams. But of course, it would be a shame to see him go.
“I have no idea, to be honest, what’s happening in the background, I’m just focusing on driving and yes, I would definitely sign with the team even though Toto wasn’t here because, as Lewis said, it’s not about one person,” concluded the Finn.
