Speculation over Hamilton’s future has mounted after Mercedes made another poor start to the season, with the seven-time world champion finishing fifth and over 50 seconds behind Red Bull’s 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix. 

Mercﷺedes’ dismal performance in Bahrain led Wolff to admit that the team had accepted their current car concept would need to be changꦗed in order to get back to the front of the grid. 

Despite the setback to Hamilton’s bid to win a record eighth world title, Wolff is certain the 38-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the year, will agree fresh terms with🐈 Mercede﷽s. 

“I have no idea what is being said in the silly season, I just know where we are📖 with Lewis and with George and nothing else is relevant,” Wolff said. 

“We are talking abo𝐆ut when we want to do it and how. We just need to change some terms - the dates basically.”

Asked if he is confident Hamilton will stay at Mercedes beyond the end of♏ 2023🦩, Wolff replied: “I am absolutely confident.” 

Hamilton insisted he has 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:no intention of leaving M🌄ercedes ahead of this weekend’s168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix amid sugges✤tions he could join a rival team, or quℱit F1 altogether. 

While Wolff is sure Hamilton will commit to Mercede🌳s, he conceded he would expect the Briton to consider his options if the team fail to provide him with a winning car in the next couple of years. 

“I don’t thꦦink Lewis will leave Mercedes,” Wolff added. 

“He’s at the stage of his career where we trust each other, we have fo൩rmed a great bond and we have no reason to doubt each other, even though this is a difficult spell. 

“So nice it will be when we come out of this valley&ওnbsp;of tears and cജome back to solid performances. 

“As a driver, nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship he needs⭕ to make sure he has the car. And if we cannot demonstrate that we are able to give him the car in the next couple of years then he needs to look everywhere. 

“I don’t thi🍒nk he’s doing it at this stage. But I will have ♓no grouch if that happens in a year or two.”

Wolff also said he no issue with Hamilton’s 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:public criticism of Mercedes for failꦍing to listen to his development concerns. 

“We speak all the time but it’s not a single word that matters in the team because we know each other so well,” Wolfꦆf said. 

“We know there are emotions at play, with him, with me and w൲ith many others in the team and we wear ﷺour heart on our sleeves. 

“Sometimes you say thing which the media very qui🌟ckly translates it in a controversial way or polarising. 

“Inside the t💙eam it never causes any waves because we know that the emotions can run high. If I see a lap time deficit coming together or a race that doesn’t go well, I’d also like to say that I’m not happy where the car has been developed to. 

“But that’s okay. Inside the team we want the emotion high and we have tough love. We are saying it straight out what’s missing and nobody is ever going to not take it on the chi🌟n in the team.”