Wolff backs Hamilton to cruise past his 40th
MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff believes Lewis Hamilton can stay in Formula One beyond his 40th birthday and expects his star driver to commit to at least a two-year contract extension.
Hamilton, 36, is riding on the crest of a wave after winning Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix to solidify his best ever start to a season.
The seven-time world champion has a 14-point cushion over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after winning three of the first four races.
Following his triumph at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, Hamilton signalled his intention to sign his next Mercedes deal before August’s threeweek summer break.
The Englishman is currently operating on a one-year contract, agreed just six weeks before the new season.
But in an interview with the PA news agency, team principal Wolff says he believes Hamilton’s next deal will be longer than a 12-month add-on.
“Yes, it should be [more than a year],” he said.
“We don’t want to be in a stressful situation every single year where we are absolutely flat-out trying to win races and needing to negotiate. I would rather that doesn’t happen every year.
“We just need to spend a day or two together, put it out there, and decide which are the difficult components. We will then lock the door and won’t walk out until it is sorted. That works best for us and it has worked best for us in the past. ”
Asked if Hamilton can compete into his 40s, Wolff replied: “Yes, absolutely. I have no doubt about that. He is so disciplined that in a way it is inspiring.”