2023-07-05 03:50:21
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff insists the delay in signing a new F1 contract with Lewis Hamilton is not a financial issue. The Mercedes F1 team and Lewis Hamilton have been in talks for weeks about extending their partnership after the end of the season.
In recent days, both Mercedes and Hamilton have expressed optimism that a deal could be reached soon after several meetings were held. However, nothing has been signed yet and Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff said at the Austrian Grand Prix that there would be no further progress before the next British Grand Prix. The delay has fueled speculation that there may be a significant stumbling block to the deal, or even that talks have broken down and the two sides may go their separate ways. However, Wolff dismissed such allegations, saying the deal is taking so long because of his desire to sort out the final details. “We want to be thorough with the details, but sometimes there are situations where everything is cut up,” explains Wolff. “But this is not a discussion about money at all. It’s about the future, what are the things we want to do right and optimize?” It’s just another topic.” Hamilton’s future at Mercedes has been clouded by a constant disagreement between drivers and teams at the Austrian Grand Prix. Throughout the race, Hamilton expressed disappointment with track limits and the performance of the Mercedes W14, to the point that Wolff himself had to intervene and tell Hamilton to ‘drive the car’. Some interpreted Wolff’s message as a sign of tension, but he rejected such ideas. “I want you to hear us talking to each other on the phone and in meetings,” Wolff said. “No way!” “I think the whole team had a bad weekend, but it makes us even stronger.” Wolff said Mercedes had already had a difficult weekend and wasted an opportunity in the race. He said he felt compelled to get involved because he didn’t have to. “We had a lot of discussions about track limits and whether they were enforced,” Wolff said of interfering with Hamilton’s radio. I felt like I wanted to make sure we were pulling out the best shots we had.”
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