Mercedes - Toto Wolff

Why Hamilton's Mercedes future was 'never in doubt'

Ian Parkes Sunday 18 December 2022 08:00

Additional reporting by Sam Hall

Toto Wolff believes there was "no doubt" Lewis Hamilton would seek to sign a new Mercedes contract despite suffering a tough season.

The Silver Arrows missed out on the F1 constructors' title for the first time since 2013 as it struggled to get to grips with the new technical regulations.

With Hamilton's current deal expiring at the end of 2023, Wolff has already confirmed that sorting a new agreement is high on his list of priorities this winter.

Speaking to GPFans at the end of the past season, Wolff explained why a first winless campaign was never going to cause the seven-time champion to quit.

"Lewis is always very good at sensing what's right for him," said Wolff.

"We have these conversations regularly, not particularly about a contract extension, but more about where are we heading as human beings and what our objectives are.

"That's why we have that constant discussion, and I was in no doubt that a down year [like the past year] would not trigger him to say goodbye to Formula 1.

"He is too strong, too resilient, and too determined to say 'Well, the car's not good enough and that's why I'm going'."

Asked if he could sense a desire within Hamilton to "want to do more" both on and off the track, Wolff added: "The desire is exactly the same as in 2013 when I met him."

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Lawson 'AXED by Red Bull' as doomed driver could have been saved by Verstappen - GPFans F1 Recap

Yesterday 23:27

Latest F1 News

Lewis Hamilton role revealed in NEW F1 25 game

Yesterday 22:56

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Red Bull statement delivered on Lawson as Vettel handed F1 boost

Yesterday 21:59

Liam Lawson

When Red Bull will confirm decision on Liam Lawson’s F1 future - all you need to know

Yesterday 21:52

Chinese Grand Prix

Incredible Verstappen trick could have SAVED Ferrari at Chinese GP

Yesterday 20:55

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton unleashes NEW Ferrari car project... and he has already named it!

Yesterday 19:56

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2025

GP AUSTRALIA 14 - 14 Mar

GP BAHRAIN 11 - 11 Apr

GP SAUDI ARABIA 18 - 18 Apr

GP USA 2 - 2 May

GP ITALY 16 - 16 May

GP MONACO 23 - 23 May

Complete kalender 2025

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Why Hamilton's Mercedes future was 'never in doubt'

Why Hamilton's Mercedes future was 'never in doubt'