Since the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race in which Lewis Hamilton lost the eighth world title on the last lap to Max Verstappen, the British driver disappeared from the public eye until a few weeks before the start of the 2022 season.
As a result of his period without appearing on social networks, many rumors arose about a possible withdrawal from Formula 1. However, he himself assured that he would return stronger than ever and that we would see a better version of himself to try to win with the new generation of single-seaters.
The radical design of the Mercedes W13 has not given the expected performance and that has meant that Hamilton has no chance of reaping his eighth title to beat Michael Schumacher, but it seems that his desire to continue his already long career has not disappeared.
When his team boss Toto Wolff was asked if he had started talks to renew the Englishman’s deal, which runs until the end of 2023 , he said humorously: “Are we already talking about contracts for 2024? June 2022? All jokes aside, we’re in a good position with Lewis [Hamilton], and there’s no question we’ll continue to work together.”
“It’s too early to talk about 2024, but I couldn’t wish for a better driver line-up,” said the Austrian, referring to the seven-time champion himself and his teammate, George Russell.
The head of the Silver Arrows has already expressed his wish that Hamilton extend his agreement with Mercedes, and he only has good words for him and his relationship with the other English driver: “I can say that he has always shown a positive attitude within the team, and the way they work is impressive, they ask each other questions, although I imagine it will be different when they go back to the front.
“It’s fantastic in how they’ve helped us move forward, and I’m happy for Lewis who has had a lot of bad luck so far,” he said of the seven-time world champion’s start to 2022 . “I could have been on the podium several times if the safety cars had come out at a different time.”
In addition, the German team is looking forward to the next British Grand Prix, since the characteristics of the Silverstone circuit would be better suited to the W13 : “We have been good in the past, and the asphalt is much smoother than in the previous three, but it is not Barcelona”.
“We still have to manage our own expectations and work hard, look at the data to come up with a good solution, not only for this race but also for the others,” Wolff said.
