Toto Wolff: Hamilton will not leave suddenly

Twelve months ago, Mercedes had to face the sudden departure of Nico Rosberg, just crowned world champion, and who had decided to leave the discipline a few days after the last Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.

The world champion team then recruited Valtteri Bottas for the 2017 season to replace the German alongside Lewis Hamilton. While Bottas has been extended for 2018, negotiations for the future contract of the quadruple world champion, whose lease with Mercedes ends at the end of next year, are already underway.

“They have already started and we are on the right track, confesses Toto wolff, boss of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, quoted by ESPN. Let's see when the white smoke comes out of the chimney. »

“Hamilton will protect the structure”

The head of Mercedes is also sure of one thing: he should not face the unexpected departure of the Briton again, if by chance he were to leave the German team.

“One of the key things for him is to be free and to be able to decide what he wants to do, continues Wolff. And in a way, keeping all options open is something that takes the pressure off him.

He could be doing something completely different in one, two or three years, and I'm aware of that. But I also know that he will protect the structure and not just say "I'll be gone by tomorrow." » It's part of his strength in fact. »

Discover the exclusive interview with Toto Wolff on Esteban Ocon in AUTO n°2145hebdo, available now in digital version on all platforms and on kiosks.