Mercedes stay assured they may persuade Lewis Hamilton to remain past this yr, regardless of enduring a disastrous begin to the season after Brit completed down in fifth place at Bahrain Grand Prix
Mercedes declare they continue to be assured of re-signing Lewis Hamilton, regardless of the curveball of a disastrous Bahrain Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion’s contract expires on the finish of the yr and his crew hope they’ll preserve him for longer as he strives for an eighth world title.
However there are no guarantees given that Hamilton finished Sunday’s race in fifth place, 51 seconds behind winner Max Verstappen, with team-mate George Russell seventh.
Requested if the Silver Arrows have a Plan B if Hamilton decides to maneuver elsewhere – or to give up – crew principal Toto Wolff stated: ‘There isn’t a level speaking in regards to the driver scenario for 2024.
‘That’s far too early. All of us must push in the identical course, the drivers, engineers and administration, somewhat than falling by the wayside. We have now by no means completed that and we is not going to try this now.’
Lewis Hamilton has an enormous choice to make on his future together with his deal expiring this yr
Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff is optimistic Hamilton will keep together with his present crew
Hamilton could not sustain with Max Verstappen because the Dutchman received convincingly in Bahrain
Previous to the race Hamilton stated that solely a disaster would forestall him extending his stick with Mercedes.
However that was earlier than crew principal Toto Wolff introduced they’d bin this yr’s automobile and seek for an answer to being solely the fourth finest crew, an endeavour that successfully guidelines out successful the title this season.
Aston Martin have moved forward of Mercedes after making important strides over the winter, leaving them not solely behind runaway success story Crimson Bull, and Ferrari, however the bold Silverstone-based crew, too.
Mercedes engineers are assembly to debate a means ahead in talks with Wolff this week.
Hamilton stated: ‘I do know we aren’t the place we need to be, however let’s preserve pushing.’
Wolff added: ‘We received eight constructors’ championships, and 6 drivers’ championships with Lewis, and that relationship holds.
‘It will be a lot too simple to lose a driver. We’re not doing that.’
