© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton is more than just a driver for Mercedes, and he’s “taking the driver cap off” when they are “brainstorming what’s best for the team”.
Mercedes is in the process of deciding who will be Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate in 2022. The decision will be made between George Russell and Valtteri Bottas.
Toto Wolff says Lewis is included in those discussions as he is now more than just a driver for the team.
“Lewis is a very important part of the team,” Wolff told Sky Sports.
“He’s really not a driver: drivers are normally contractors, they come and then maybe they go for another opportunity.
“Lewis has been with us… I think we’re in the ninth year together. [He’s] such an incredibly important [team member] like all these guys.
“So he’s part of the discussion. Him and I are brainstorming what’s best for the team.
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“He’s taking the driver cap off, really, because when he’s got the driver cap on, we pretty much know both what’s good for him.
“But he’s also taking the team’s view and we have been discussing all throughout the summer and we have the same opinion.”
Wolff adds that the decision will be made “sooner rather than later”, and Mercedes will make sure, that Russell and Bottas’ future is secure, no matter who they decide to sign.
“I think you want to do it sooner rather than later because both drivers that are in the run for this cockpit, they need to know.
“For us, it was always important, whatever step we take, we need to know what happens to George and to Valtteri if we decide for one of them. That is something that I’m considering all the time.
“We are not going to take a decision unilaterally without knowing where the direction goes for the other one,” concluded the Austrian.
