Wolff: Hamilton has never discussed Mercedes F1 teammate preferences

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton has “never” discussed his teammate preferences as part of his Formula 1 contract negotiations.
Wolff: Hamilton has never discussed Mercedes F1 teammate preferences

The seven-time world champion revealed ahead of this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix that he has 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:started talks with Mercedes 🤪over a new deal to stay with the team beyond this season.

Hamilton also hinted that hꦕe would like Bottas to remain his teammate for 2022, with the Fཧinn’s future uncertain as Wolff weighs up whether to retain him or replace him with Mercedes protege George Russell.

Speaki💛ng on Friday in Austria, Wolff said that Hamilton’ꦜs teammate for 2022 has not been brought up during their contract talks.

“We have never 🐠discussed preferences or not about line-up,” Wolff tꦚold Sky Sports F1. “That is never something that’s part of his thinking.”

Wolff also played down the suggestionཧ that Mercedes could reap a marketing benefit by running two British drivers in its line-up.

“Nationality has never played a💮 role,” Wolff insisted. “We are an international company and we are global and you want to choose the best drivers.”

While Wo꧟❀lff explained that Hamilton’s opinion will always be “valued” by Mercedes, he stressed that the driver the team eventually picks to finalise its line-up will be the first person to know.

“Lewis is part of the team and has always been in the inner circle of decision making because simply we value his opᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚinion,” he said.

“And in 🧸the same way, when we’re taking about drivers there is nothing we are not sharin༒g with him, it’s transparent.

“But the other way around too, when I speak to Valtteri, it is opꦫen. When I speak to George, it is very much open because I don’t want to have any hidden agendas.

“We need to evaluate the situation for the future𝓡. Valtteri had some really good weekends but he also had some off weekends and we just need to minimise💜 those. And then we will take the decision.

“Whatever decision we will be taking, Valtteri or George, the person that’s involved in that will be hearing that first - and that🌃 is the driver.”

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