Mercedes ‘trust’ Hamilton, other teams lack that

Jamie Woodhouse
Mercedes "trust" Lewis Hamilton to sign a new deal, say other teams lack trust.

Mercedes "trust" Lewis Hamilton to sign a new deal, say other teams lack trust.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff “trusts” Lewis Hamilton to sign a new deal, and says trust is what makes the team different to the rest.

The six-time World Champion is out of contract at the end of 2020 and negotiations are yet to begin over an extension.

Wolff says this is because the team don’t want to hand out new deals before any racing has taken place this season, but once Hamilton touches down in Europe talks will begin.

And Wolff “trusts” Hamilton to remain with the team, saying Mercedes is built on trust and it’s what sets them apart from the other teams.

“We’re keeping in contact with each other regularly,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1.

“We have been in different parts of the world but very much keep ourselves in the loop of what is happening.

“The moment Lewis touches down back in Europe we will carve out what needs to be carved out.

“We have been together for eight years now and the agreements don’t need to be reinvented. There is a good basis and I believe we could come to a point pretty swiftly.

“If you trust, and I think our relationship is based on trust, you know that your partner is not going to let you down.

“We are all aware Formula 1 is a tough business but I think what this teams does different is that loyalty and trust are important values and we live by them every day.”

If Mercedes were to lose Hamilton or his team-mate Valtteri Bottas who is also out of contract, then their academy graduates George Russell and Esteban Ocon would likely be first in line for those seats.

But Wolff said that the team can’t get complacent with their options due to the strength of their rivals.

“Yes [Mercedes are spoilt for choice], but we must not be complacent,” he said.

“Red Bull has two very talented drivers, Ferrari has very talented drivers – I think the combination they’ve chosen is very good.

“We need to make sure our short-term future is in good hands, and there are no better hands out there than Lewis’, and then our mid-to-long-term strategy is being considered. It’s not an easy situation but we are in a good place.”

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