Wolf f backs Lewis to be Merc for life

TOTO WOLFF believes Lewis Hamilton will end his Formula One career with Mercedes.

The 32-year-old ace heads into tomorrow’s Monaco Grand Prix six points adrift of title rival Sebastian Vettel in his bid to be the first Brit to win four championships.

Hamilton is now in his fifth campaign with Mercedes – a relationship that’s yielded an incredible 34 victories and two championships – but one that has not passed without controversy.

But Merc chief Wolff is hopeful his star, in the second of a three-season deal, will see out his time in the sport with the Silver Arrows.

He said: “If you would have asked me the same question a year ago I wouldn’t have been very optimistic but now it’s different. I feel it can’t be much better in a different place. For him and for us.

“There are going to be difficult moments in the on-track performance but the relationship is strong now. After five years it’s become so strong in a way that it wasn’t last season.

“For Lewis it’s important to see if we are competitive or not but at the moment there is such a solid basis that I can imagine it going on forever.”