Lewis Hamilton has denied his future in Formula 1 is tied to whether Toto Wolff remains at Mercedes post-2020.
Both men are out of contract at the end of this year and last weekend, the Austrian admitted he is in a “moment of reflection” about his position, amid speculation he could take on more of an advisory role with the team.
Hamilton has been calm about the current situation, claiming he will eventually re-sign and would like to stay in F1 for three more years at least.
But given the strength of his relationship with Wolff, with both men joining Mercedes in 2013, some do believe there is a connection, particularly given Valtteri Bottas has already signed a one-year extension.
“What you’ve got to remember is it’s a team,” said Hamilton via Sky Sports in response to his boss’ comments on Saturday.
“There are so many people, there are almost 2,000 people in the team or something like that. So it’s not just down to one person, one individual, that’s not determining whether or not I stay.
“I have been a part of growing with this team and been a part of that growth and the strength is there through and through, it’s not just in one individual.
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“Everyone has to do what is best for them and what is best for their career and their happiness at the end of the day. I think it’s smart for him (Wolff),” the world champion then noted.
“We’ve done so much already together in this period of time but I hope he stays. It’s fun working with him and it’s fun negotiating with him and fun having the ups and downs.
“I’m truly grateful to Toto, but I’ll be supportive in whatever he decides to do.”
Analysing Wolff’s comments though, Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle is unsurprised that he is seriously considering his future, pointing to his recent frustration with the political situation in F1.
“I think Lewis will be watching it,” he said initially on whether it is impacting Hamilton’s decision.
“It’s interesting, something’s up because I’ve always found Toto very open and arrestingly honest if you ask him a direct question and he’s saying ‘I’m thinking it over whether I want to stay in F1 or not’.
“Maybe that’s part of a brilliant negotiation he’s playing but I think he’s a bit fed-up. Fed-up with all the stuff that’s going on around Racing Point, the new Concorde Agreement and some other things.
“When he missed the race at Hockenheim last year he ‘died’ sitting at home watching it on the TV and felt kind of left behind so he has a passion – he’s a petrolhead as well as a financier. So he’s just fed-up with something at the moment.
“Andy Cowell is leaving the team, maybe Toto, but there’s such a great group of people there that will just pick up the mantle and run with the team that I don’t think it would affect whether Lewis stays or not,” the former F1 driver added.
“Lewis says he’s in the final stages of his career anyway, his own words.”
