Lewis Hamilton might step into the role of a CEO, or even become a Formula 1 team boss after he retires from racing.
This sentiment comes from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who recently finalized a new two-year agreement with the seven-time world champion, ensuring Hamilton’s place on the team until 2024.
While George Russell shared that his own contract discussions took a mere “two hours,” Hamilton’s talks spanned several months.
Wolff, however, clarified: “It wasn’t difficult to discuss Lewis’ renewal.
“We were also talking about the phase following his career in F1, about long-term sponsorships, and things apart from the money, the marketing aspects and the length of the contract,” he told Sky Italia at Monza.
By the time Hamilton’s new contract ends, he will be 40, and Wolff believes the British driver will have a variety of options should he choose to hang up his racing boots.
“Team principal? I don’t know,” the Austrian said. “What I can say is that he will end his career with Mercedes. I don’t see him with another team.
“After that, he can do many things – from team principal to being CEO. And I hope he stays with us,” Wolff insisted.
Celebrating the conclusion of his extended contract at Monza, Hamilton gave an exclusive, candid interview with Sky Italia.
Currently, the F1 scene is thoroughly overshadowed by Hamilton’s 2021 title rival Max Verstappen, yet Hamilton pondered the extent of Verstappen’s dominance.
“I was thinking about it this morning while running,” said the Briton.
“When I qualified half a second or six tenths ahead of Valtteri (Bottas), the story in the media wasn’t the same as when Max now qualifies six tenths ahead of Sergio (Perez).
“It’s much more hyped up now,” Hamilton added.
“In my opinion, Valtteri and actually all of my teammates were stronger than the teammates Max ever had. Jenson (Button), Fernando (Alonso), George (Russell), Nico (Rosberg).
“All those guys were very strong and consistent, and Max has never had to fight like that.”
Wolff has recently suggested that Red Bull’s 2023 strategy seems to favor Verstappen over Perez, an idea Verstappen labeled as “bullshit”.
“I completely agree with Max,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said on Friday.
“If Toto thinks we’re developing a car around a single driver, it shows a total lack of understanding of how a race car and a team develop.”
Regarding Hamilton’s comments on Verstappen having supposedly weaker teammates, Horner retorted: “I think there’s quite a lot of drivers who don’t even want to be Max’s teammate.”
