Toto Wolff is confident seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will stay in Formula 1 beyond the 2022 season amid speculation surrounding his retirement - with the Mercedes boss even suggesting the duo joked about their partnership running for the next ‘five to 10 years’.
Max Verstappen secured his seventh win of the season after rival Charles Leclerc crashed out from the lead at the French Grand Prix on Sunday. The Ferrari driver desperately needed a good result to keep his fading title hopes alive but he gifted rival Verstappen the win - and perhaps the championship - with his error.
While the French Grand Prix proved to be a day to forget for Leclerc and Ferrari, Mercedes celebrated their best result of the season as both Hamilton and George Russell made it to the podium. The performance of the W13 ensured the earlier problems linked to the porpoising phenomenon were a far cry.
Hamilton took advantage of Leclerc’s mistake to achieve his best result of the season as he clinched P2 behind Verstappen while Mercedes teammate Russell joined him on the podium for the first time since his switch from Williams. According to Wolff, the 37-year-old - who is now 106 points behind Verstappen - could stay with the Silver Arrows beyond his current contract which expires at the end of 2023.
“We talked a few weeks ago about how long our partnership can go and the number that was discussed was five to 10 years, so we can get to 400,” said Wolff. “Someone once said you have not just got to win the eighth - why not ten?
“Says he who is a second off the pace.”
Wolff was in a jovial mood and Hamilton was also much happier with Mercedes’ performance in France. The 37-year-old spoke about his future after Sunday’s race, which was his 300th start in F1.
“I still feel fresh and as though I have got plenty of fuel left in the tank,” Hamilton added. “I want to get back to winning ways and that is going to take time, but I am sure we will sit down at some stage to talk about the future.
“I want to keep building. One thing is racing but another is to continue to do more outside the sport (on social matters), which I think Mercedes and us can, and will do.”
Hamilton has said in the past that he hoped he was not racing at the age of 40, but it now seems as though the Brit could remain on the grid for the foreseeable future. After a difficult start to the season, Hamilton has improved his fortunes and has finished on the podium for four successive races.
Meanwhile, the Brit’s former teammate Nico Rosberg said he can see Hamilton continuing next season after his turnaround in fortunes. Speaking to Sky Sports, the 2016 world champion said: “It looks like he’s in a good place still, and relishing this new challenge of having George next to him because it’s still as important as ever for Lewis to beat his team-mate.
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“Lewis did an awesome job [in qualifying], really outperformed George over one lap by three or four tenths – that’s a lot, so really phenomenal driving from Lewis. I think he’s still motivated and in a good place with the team, so I do see him continuing, why not, for a couple more years.
“In terms of performance, look at Fernando Alonso – he’s 40 years old and still driving at his very best. The way he’s beating [Esteban] Ocon at the moment is really impressive.”
The 22-race F1 2022 campaign continues with the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest on July 31.
