Wolff admits mistake with 2022 F1 car and Hamilton's future uncertain
Mar.18 - As Lewis Hamilton's split with his long-time companion and assistant Angela Cullen became clear, Toto Wolff admitted for the first time that the seven time world champion could also leave Mercedes.
That is despite the fact that, when pressed on the status of contract negotiations with the 38-year-old Briton, he said he is "absolutely confident" a deal will ultimately be done.
However, the first real 'silly season' rumours for 2023 are that Hamilton might be eyeing a disgruntled Charles Leclerc's Ferrari race seat.
"Well, I have no idea what is being said in the silly season," Mercedes team boss Wolff insists.
"We're talking when we want to do it but we just need to change some terms - the dates basically."
However, Hamilton recently accused Mercedes' engineers and management of "not listening to me" when he told them the basic concept of the 2022 car needed to change this year.
Wolff admits the team made a fundamental mistake with the new car, but he also said simply throwing away the current chassis is not possible.
"I think it's out of the question to change the chassis," he said in Saudi Arabia. "There simply is not enough budget in the cost cap.
"But changing the way the aerodynamics work and bodywork is perfectly within the scope."
But if Mercedes cannot demonstrate to Hamilton that it can put a much more competitive car at his disposal in the medium-term future, it is possible a new contract ultimately will not be signed.
"I don't think Lewis will leave Mercedes," Wolff insists. "He's at the stage of a career where we trust each other, we have formed the great bond among each other and we have no reason to doubt each other, even though this is a difficult spell.
"As a driver, nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to make sure that he has the car. And if we cannot demonstrate that we're able to give him a car in the next couple of years, then he needs to look everywhere.
"I don't think he's doing it at that stage, but I will have no gripe if that happens in a year or two," the Austrian added.
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We are Mercedes,-We don't make mistakes, except the 22 car, Oh and the 23 car.
He'll continue regardless.
There's not much wrong with the 23 car , King G showed that in fp2, 2 tenths behind Nando , is 23 another season where Louise is doing all the development work(worst excuse ever) like last yr.! or is she just off the pace again?
Lewis appears as Alonso did to need a break from F1. I think by his standards he is going to be free wheeling this year with nothing much to loose but he’s sent Angela away quite rightly and he should have done the same. He’s only human after all. No other F1 driver has had such a long ,intensive and successful career from such a young age.
I think Merc thought they were unbeatable, and that's half the problem, As for Lewis taking a break, like Alonso did, Ummm, before Alonso tok his break , you could hear and see the passion, he fought tooth and nail regardless, Unfortunately I don't see the same fight from Her Highness, he sounds dejected, unsure, dare I say Helpless, someone said headless chicken well maybe, King G doesn't help , saying the cars ok and again qualifying him,If the rest of the years, poor hes only one option to Nico F1, and go play fashion as a dancing Queen
Lewis has openly admitted that half the problem is him. A f1 car is a very dangerous place to be if you are not fully committed. The danger is that it is easier to keep going but why with no good reason. There’s so much more to life and he has nothing to prove. We’re on the same page for once if from a different direction. Dancing queens are more up your alley sweetie.
If shamilton took a break he could try judging on dancing on ice and give Ashley banjo a drive in the merc.ha ha
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