Wolff put Alonso as an example that Hamilton can continue for a few years

Toto Wolff, boss of Mercedes, praised the state of form exhibited by Fernando Alonso in 2022 at 41 years old and used the Asturian case as an example to remember that Lewis hamiltonat 37 years old, can fully sign a new contract with Mercedes for several years and continues to perform at the highest level. This was revealed in the statements collected by the portal ‘Motorsport.com’, which took the test of the statements made at the end of October by his British student. The 7-time champion has already said in an interview with ‘BBC’ that he will continue in F1 and that he will renew with Mercedes, a team where his current contract expires at the end of next season (2023).

“Alonso, at 41, is also in excellent shape, so Lewis can compete for a few more seasons. Of course, he can drop him when he didn’t meet his own standards, just like Lauda once did.” Taught by Toto Wolff.

“We will sign another contract. We will sit and talk for the next two months. My goal is to continue with Mercedes. I have been with them since I was 13 years old (when they signed him to be part of their young talent program with McLaren) and they are my family, they trusted me all this time”Hamilton said at the end of October, leaving that task for these dates, that the 2022 campaign is over: “When we reach the end of the course, I will try to review everything that happened and think of the three-pronged plan In five years, it is difficult for him to do ten more”.

“I have many businesses and many positive things that will give me the opportunity to be successful abroad, but I want to continue running. I love what I do. I’ve been running for 30 years and I don’t think I need to stop. I can stop now and I’ll have projects that are busy, but I’m here for my love of the organization I work for, so you can be with me a little longer,” Lewis added on that occasion.

In 2023, Mercedes wants to go all out

After a very complicated first part of the course due to the difficulties experienced by Mercedes with the risky car concept they chose for the change of regulations in 2022, which showed many problems at the start, Mercedes was able to take many steps forward and finish the year in a positive way, winning with a double in Brazil, although still showing behind Red Bull in Abu Dhabi. Now, with his car understood, Mercedes is expected to join the group of candidates for 2023 with his new car for the next course.

“In 2022 we made a mistake in the development of the car and we had problems. Next year, the rules will hardly change, we know where we are, what mistakes we made and what is needed We will improve. Hopefully we can overtake the leader in 2023. We haven’t done it yet, and we must do everything to be successful,” said Wolff.

“Russell has the potential to be a champion one day”

Undoubtedly, one of the great positive points of Mercedes is the excellent campaign carried out by George Russell in his first year with the star team. The 24-year-old driver is very consistent and fast. Even with a car with problems, at the beginning of the course, the Englishman managed to always be in the Top-5 in the first 9 races. He finished the year 4th ahead of his teammate Hamilton (6th) and achieved the only victory for Mercedes in 2022 in Brazil and pole position in Hungary, while Lewis closed a blank course for the first time, without a win or pole position, something that has never happened to him since he arrived in F1 in 2007.

“Regarding George Russell, his development this year has been completely in line with our expectations. Despite being a rookie, driving with Hamilton and having problems with our car, he did not lose early in the season. George has had a great season and is slowly gaining confidence in himself. He has the potential to be a world champion one day, he just needs to persevere.”