Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff is confident a new deal with world champion Lewis Hamilton will be signed claiming it is “a matter of time”.
The Briton is entering the final year of his current contract with the German manufacturer, with whom he has claimed the title in three of the last four seasons, and has already indicated his intentions to stay on.
At the same time, however, talk is never far away of Hamilton calling time on his F1 career with his ambitions away from the sport well known, but Wolff is confident he will remain committed for now.
“Lewis has become such an important pillar within the team that it is a no-brainer that we continue with each other,” he claimed in a Q&A released by the team.
“The discussions are ongoing in a very positive mindset and it’s just a matter of time when we seal it and put a signature to the document.”
The 33-year-old has also claimed the emergence of Max Verstappen and the rivalry with Sebastian Vettel are re-energising his passion for racing, which is why he will sign a new deal.
In 2018, Hamilton looks to match Juan Manuel Fangio as a five-time champion, joint second on the all-time list behind Michael Schumacher but his boss is expecting a tough fight to achieve it.
“All the points go back to zero,” said Wolff, offering his feelings on the year ahead. “We are extremely happy and proud of the four double titles but it isn’t a guarantee that we’ll get it a fifth time.
“The mindset in the organisation is to stay humble of your own achievements but motivated and energised and hopefully try to win races again in order to fight for the title.”
