Wolff discusses Lewis Hamilton contract but Briton raises red flag

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Toto Wolff has revealed Mercedes bosses are still working on contract negotiations with Lewis Hamilton with an agreement with the seven-time champion yet to be signed. The Silver Arrows team boss suggested the pair were “bouncing emails back and forth” around a new deal for 2024 and beyond.

Wolff said: “It’s been 11 years that I’ve that we’ve been together, and every single time when we talk about Lewis’ contract, it’s six months of ‘where are we and what is happening?’ And we keep seeing the same thing; that we’re just rolling on, it’s not any difficult contract negotiations, it’s just putting a different timeline and a few different numbers in there.

“And that’s what we do. And we’re, we’re working on this. It’s a work in progress, bouncing emails back and forth. And eventually we’re going to sign it.” However, the remarks may raise red flags after Hamilton admitted on Thursday he never checks his emails.

The seven-time champion made the revelation just 24 hours before Wolff’s remarks when asked by Ted Kravitz if he had been sent an invitation to the Coronation of King Charles III due to his knighthood.

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Hamilton responded: “I have no idea, I don’t see my mail. I’ve not seen my mail in years.” The seven-time champion is understood to want a multi-year arrangement but there were fears that talks had stalled.

Wolff suggested a deal would be finalised over the winter but no official details have emerged months into the season. The delay has led many pundits to suggest Hamilton could walk away to Ferrari but the Briton has continually pledged his allegiance to Mercedes.

Hamilton addressed the contract uncertainty directly ahead of the Miami Grand Prix as he reassured fans he will be around for some time to come. He commented: “I’m not at the end of my career, I’m not in the downhill slope of my career. I’m in my prime.

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“It all depends on how hard I want to work and keep myself in my prime, in terms of physical and mental capability. If you look at LeBron [James], if you look at Tom Brady, they have shown that it can be sustained for as long as you are dedicated enough to put the energy and time in.

“Right now, I don’t plan on changing, I only plan on adding to the drive and the motivation and to being better. I’m massively driven.”

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