Wolff set for talks to keep Hamilton at Mercedes

Toto Wolff will wait until the new Formula One season begins to discuss a new contract with Lewis Hamilton, but the Mercedes boss has admitted he could change his own role within the all-conquering Silver Arrows.

With the delayed season due to begin in Austria in July, Wolff said he hoped to have an agreement in place “pretty soon” with six-time world champion Hamilton.

Hamilton, 35, is widely expected to agree fresh terms, but Wolff said no discussions have taken place during the sport’s enforced shutdown.

“We didn’t see each other over lockdown, we were in different parts of the world but in regular contact,” said Wolff.

“We didn’t work on any agreement between us but there is a lot of trust, we’ve been together for a long time and never in this time did we have to take the contract out and actually read what was written because it comes so naturally.

“Once racing resumes we will spend some time together, take the contract out of the cupboard, look at the timings, the numbers, the rights, and hopefully have something pretty soon.”

Last week, Mercedes’ parent company Daimler was forced to dismiss reports that its commitment to the sport was in doubt, while Wolff was linked with a buyout involving Aston Martin – a company in which he is a shareholder.

But the Austrian dismissed those reports.

“With regards to my future, I have bought a few shares in Aston Martin as a financial investment… [but] my executive functions are unchanged at Mercedes,” he said.

“I am team principal and a shareholder. I’m planning with Mercedes and have the best intentions to stay here.”

Wolff admitted he was in discussions with Daimler chairman Ola Kallenius over his exact role. The Austrain said: “I need to question myself. I don’t want to be a team principal that goes from great to good without realising I’m not adding as much as I did.”