Wolff explains Hamilton’s and Russell’s extensions: ‘Trickier with Lewis’

As more and more teams’ line-ups are getting finalised for 2024, Mercedes already have their drivers tied down until the end of 2025. At the Singapore Grand Prix, Toto Wolff explained the process behind signing the two British drivers for another two seasons.

Toto Wolff said finishing up the contract with Lewis Hamilton was a bit trickier, but the base of it was clear. "The negotiations with Lewis are always different because we talk when we see each other and then sometimes we both disappear into different parts of the world and then it's tricky. But we were pretty clear with the main terms before the summer and then obviously, you just need to put them in a contract with lawyers. That can be more tricky."

Wolff also added that he always believed the two parties could come to an agreement. "Lewis is a very competitive person in the car and outside. He has a good commercial brain. And now, towards the last phase of his Formula One driving career. There are other things that need to be evaluated. As long as both want to work, he wants to be in the car and we obviously want to have him with us. There's no reason. We're always going to come to some agreement."

Long relationship with Russell

George Russell’s contract was more straightforward, and Wolff said the Briton could likely stay longer than his two-year contract says. "With George, we have such a long-standing relationship since his junior days and there is no reason why it's another 10 years. So, we'll see next time around."