Wolff explains 'trivial' delays in agreeing new Hamilton contract

Toto Wolff has explained the "trivial" hold-ups in agreeing a fresh Formula 1 contract with Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

The seven-time World Champion's deal runs out at the end of 2023, but both Wolff and Hamilton are confident that a new agreement is just a formality with the finer details needing to be agreed.

There has been speculation that Hamilton was seeking an ambassadorial position within Mercedes after his retirement, but Wolff has dismissed this, instead describing the hold up in signing the contract.

Hamilton's contract delay

"We're not talking about an ambassadorial role post his retirement nor is that part of the contract negotiations," Wolff told media including RacingNews365.

"He has many years to go as a driver within the team and therefore it is only about cleaning things up in the contract.

"I know it looks a little bit: 'Why is this not done and dusted?' but it is simply down to trivial things that just need to be cleaned up in the contract.

"He's been a Mercedes driver since he was eight or 10 years old, when he had the AMG visor, and then obviously the years with McLaren in the Mercedes family and then 10 or 11 years in the Mercedes works team.

"He's synonymous with Mercedes as he is synonymous for his career.

"We've gone through so many ups and downs, so many situations that were difficult on a human side, on a performance side and so many more hugely positive moments.

"That's just made us stick together, trust each other whilst being able to have tough love and the odd argument.

"That is such a strong bond that makes him so loyal."

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