Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton could lose closest ally at Mercedes as Toto Wolff hints at QUITTING F1 team and is weighing up options

, Lewis Hamilton could lose closest ally at Mercedes as Toto Wolff hints at QUITTING F1 team and is weighing up options

LEWIS HAMILTON could be about to lose his biggest ally at Mercedes after boss Toto Wolff admitted he was considering quitting.

Wolff joined the team at the same time as Hamilton in 2013 and together they have dominated the sport.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and top driver Lewis Hamilton have clicked since joining the team at the same time in 2013

However, like Hamilton, the Austrian’s contract ends in December and both have yet to sign new deals.

Hamilton has made no secret of the fact he wants to see Wolff stay on, but Wolff says he is weighing up his options with Daimler CEO Ola Källenius and his wife, Susie.

Wolff said: “I really have enjoyed many years in Formula One in that role and the discussions we are having are very good.

“I am happy that my relationship with Ola is probably as good as it can be and we speak almost every day and there are many factors that make me want to stay in Formula One.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“On the other side, it takes a toll and that is in my considerations and, as it stands there is no reason not to continue with Mercedes, but we will find out.

“What that means is it is a discussion I have to make for the future that I have to take with my wife and with Ola.

“That doesn’t mean I won’t be around as a team principal or around in another role, but that I am thinking about it.”

Despite his cryptic answer over his future, Wolff has urged Hamilton to commit to the team with – or without him.

He added: “Lewis staying at the moment is the best he can do and what he wants to do.

“He has the possibility of achieving great success going forward and winning more races and hopefully championships.

“It is flattering that he says it depends on what I do, but he doesn’t need me.

“He has a great team there that will always support him but I have not taken a decision yet.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“I am in a moment of reflection, a reflection of where Formula One is heading to. What is happening around the Covid case.

, Lewis Hamilton could lose closest ally at Mercedes as Toto Wolff hints at QUITTING F1 team and is weighing up options

“And also personal reasons. Susie is in a good place running a Formula E team and that means she is away a lot.

“I have been to 120 F1 races in the past eight years, and that is something we are thinking about.”

Meanwhile, as revealed on Wednesday, Wolff has performed a u-turn on his decision to play hard-ball over the financial terms of the Concorde Agreement – the deal that includes how F1’s $1billion prize pot is divvied up – after a discussion with the sport’s CEO, Chase Carey.

He added: “I don’t think the teams will ever be united and everybody tries to achieve deals outside.

“So we have decided to move forward as I had some very good discussions with Chase last weekend.

“Most of the clarifications that we wanted to achieve have been discussed and we are at a good point to sign the agreement and move on.”

Meanwhile, McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown has hit back at Racing Point’s Otmar Szafnauer.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Szafnauer delivered a scathing attack on Brown last week following McLaren’s intention to join the group of teams pressing for them to be punished further for copying Mercedes’ brake ducts.

Racing Point have been fined £361,000 and docked 15 points after falling foul of the rules, while McLaren have now ceased pursuing the matter.

Szafnauer said last week: “I’m surprised at how little he [Brown] knows about the rules of Formula One. It seems to me he knows more about historic racing than he does about Formula One.”

And Brown hit back with a ziner, saying: “A lot of what Otmar said was accurate. I am not an engineer.

“I don’t know the rule book from the first page to the last page, but I am CEO of a racing team and it is their job to know the rulebook and the regulations.

“In my time here leading McLaren, I have never been fined a dollar, let alone 400,000. I have never been docked points.

“Otmar thought it was seven and a half points until Sky television pointed out that it was for each car.

“As far as historic racing, well people who know me know I enjoy historic racing and I’d invite him to come and join me because he’s got a historic car that he’s currently racing.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Ozil's Gym Transformation Former Arsenal player Mesut Ozil, who retired at 34, has been hitting the gym hard, showcasing a significant body transformation and...

Premier League

Gareth Southgate Explains Palmer's Absence Gareth Southgate has shed light on why Cole Palmer didn't make an appearance in England's recent friendlies against Brazil...

Premier League

Former Football Stars Turned Coaches Cesc Fabregas has been predicted to join the ranks of successful managers like Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry, and Patrick...

Premier League

Guardiola's Headache Manchester City is facing a massive injury crisis with seven key players at risk of missing the crucial showdown against Arsenal. Defensive...

Premier League

ARSENAL and West Ham are on the brink of securing an extra Champions League spot for English clubs in 2024-25 by potentially eliminating German...

Premier League

Sir Jim Ratcliffe making changes at Old Trafford Manchester United is gearing up for a major shake-up as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement