Toto Wolff is not expecting Mercedes' difficult start to the 2023 Formula 1 season to influence Lewis Hamilton's future with the team. Hamilton recently dismissed suggestions from former F1 drivers that he might be waiting to see if the Silver Arrows' car is competitive before committing beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the year. Mercedes struggled at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, with Hamilton and teammate George Russell finishing in P5 and P7 respectively, but Hamilton has vowed to remain positive . Wolff believes that this attitude from the seven-time World Champion reaffirms his commitment to the squad. "I think he's an integral part of the team, picking the team up, and we are all sticking together," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.com . "I don't think that's going to change just because we had another start that was really bad. We won eight Constructors' Championships and we won six Drivers' Championships with him. "That's holding, that relationship holds."
Wolff: Mercedes need to really dig deep
When asked if he feared losing Hamilton, Wolff reaffirmed his hope that the team can provide their drivers with a stronger car. "I think it would be much too easy to lose the driver and then just throw in the white towel," the team boss explained. "We're not doing that. On the contrary, we just need to really dig deep, deeper than we've ever done, and provide both drivers a car that they are actually able to fight with. "You can see they're doing everything they can with the car."
Not the point to discuss 2024 driver line-up, says Wolff
Wolff insists that it remains "too early" to focus on the team's 2024 driver plans, with the focus instead being on addressing issues with the W14 car. "I think, as much as I'm being transparent on how we need to turn the car around, it's not the point to talk about the driver situation in 2024," Wolff commented. "That is far too early. We need to all push in the same direction – the drivers, the engineers, all of us management – rather than throwing in the towel. We're not doing that. "We never have done that and we will not do it."
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