Following his second-place finish in the Spanish Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton hinted on Sunday that he may be on the verge of signing a new contract with Mercedes, expecting to meet with team boss Toto Wolff on Monday.
While Hamilton acknowledged that he has yet to officially sign anything, he expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, stating, “I haven’t signed anything yet, but I think we are meeting with Toto tomorrow so hopefully we can get something done.” He clarified that the meeting was not a subtle hint, but rather part of the ongoing discussions they have been having.
Despite the contract negotiations, Hamilton emphasized that his performance in the race was not affected, and he remained focused on his racing.
However, he acknowledged that the contract situation is always at the back of his mind and looks forward to finalizing it to be able to concentrate fully on the future.
Hamilton spoke highly of his team and their hunger for success, highlighting the special atmosphere following the podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix. He expressed his admiration for the team’s dedication and their ability to swiftly shift focus back to their work.
Looking ahead, Hamilton emphasized the importance of continuing car development to compete against Red Bull this year but also stressed the need to prepare for 2024.
He expressed a desire to be in a position to challenge and race against Max Verstappen, acknowledging that the competition will be fierce.
Addressing recent speculation about a potential move to Ferrari, Hamilton affirmed his happiness with his current situation and expressed confidence in the team and individuals supporting him. He mentioned his satisfaction with the progress of his initiative, Mission 44, and praised the teamwork of his engineers, particularly his long-time race engineer Pete Bonnington.
While Hamilton aims to prolong his racing career, he stressed the importance of being competitive and racing alongside Verstappen. He concluded by expressing his dedication to achieving that goal, acknowledging that there is still a long way to go but remaining focused on the journey ahead.
Hamilton, who has experienced immense success with Mercedes since joining them in 2013, winning six of his seven titles, appears to be on the verge of extending his partnership with the team.
