F1 Rumors: Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff Makes Bold Lewis Hamilton Career Claim

Despite Lewis Hamilton being linked to early retirement, Mercedes remains positive about one thing.

Mercedes’ start this season hasn’t been as smooth as the usual. Following the controversies en route to the renewal of Hamilton’s contract, some believe that the seven-time world champion will end his career sooner rather than later.

Addressing the subject, Mercedes-AMG Petronas CEO Toto Wolff insisted that regardless of what Hamilton would want to do in the future, Mercedes will be his “last team.”

“I think this will be his last team,” Wolff recently told DPA news agency. “There is no better place for him than at Mercedes and our wish is also that he continues with us.”

“The symbiosis between us is good and we have celebrated so many successes together that from today’s perspective everything speaks in favor of continuing to race together,” he continued.

Hamilton signed only a one-year deal with Mercedes just before the 2021 season, and many have wondered why the Brit did not opt for a longer term.

Wolff later revealed that both parties have figured it was the best decision to make at the time. More importantly, he is confident about Hamilton’s “commitment” to the team.

“No, no doubt about [Hamilton’s] commitment,” the Mercedes team principal stated last month. “First of all, he enjoys racing a lot. We enjoy working with each other and we discussed that a lot, but he’s absolutely right. Times change.”

“He’s very passionate about his initiatives against racism and inequality,” he added. “I think it’s fair enough for a driver that has won seven Championships to give himself the flexibility in his mind to decide what he wants to do in the future. Whether this is racing or outside of the circus.”

Prior to the start of the season, Hamilton has been talking about life beyond racing. This got the media and fans concerned that the F1 superstar may have been losing his drive to win.

However, Hamilton pointed out that nothing could ever stop him from competing and that his future plans don’t affect his performance on the track.

“I could stay involved in F1 after retirement and I think I want to,” Hamilton told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “But it’s hard for me to think about when I won’t be racing.”

“The position I’m in has nothing to do with whether we are or we’re not winning the Championship,” he continued. “I don’t quit when the going gets tough.”