Hamilton and Wolff in regular contact throughout lockdown

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has revealed he has been in regular contact with six-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton throughout the lockdown period.

Hamilton is out of contract at the end of the season, although it appears almost certain the 35-year-old will sign a new deal with the team that has helped him win five of his championships.

Wolff, who recently declared he and Hamilton "are in a good place", has disclosed how the level of communication with the Briton during the current situation has been very different to that with Bottas.

"I very much leave it to the drivers, when there is nothing urgent, to manage the communication," Wolff said in a video interview on the Mercedes website.

"I haven't spoken to Valtteri. I think he is in a good place personally, and I'm happy about that.

"With Lewis, I've been very much in contact. We've spoken regularly, we've Whatsapp'd very often, keeping each other up to date."

Wolff, meanwhile, has revealed he is " very proud" the Austrian Grand Prix will be F1's season opener on July 5, providing quarantine restrictions can be overcome.

F1 remains in talks with the British government regarding plans to avoid the 14-day quarantine period due to be imposed for all arrivals into England.

Assessing the situation positively, Wolff said: "I'm pretty optimistic that we can start in Austria because Austria has been one of the best countries in keeping the virus numbers low, and I think they will come up with a plan [of] how we can race.

"I know the circuit extremely well because I did a thousand laps there as a racing driver and as an instructor.

"I lived in Spielberg whilst being a junior driver. It feels a little bit like a second home. I love Styria, and [I have] many fond memories from the place.

"Starting the season there makes me very proud, that Austria will be the season opener, and doing it on two consecutive weekends so finally we get two races done, and I'm very much looking forward to it."

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