Toto Wolff ‘absolutely’ confident that Lewis Hamilton will sign new Mercedes deal as he targets record

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is “absolutely” confident that Lewis Hamilton will extend his contract with the team.

Seven-time champion Hamilton is entering into the final year of his deal with Mercedes.

He has confirmed this season that he plans to sign a new “multi-year” contract, but nothing has been finalised yet.

Wolff has said Hamilton’s contract is on his off-season to-do list.

“Well, the job list is pretty long with what’s needed to be done,” he told Beyond The Grid.

“Certainly, Lewis’s contract is one of the topics that we will tackle over the winter, but there is no firm deadline.”

Pushed if he is confident about Hamilton signing a new deal, Wolff added: “Absolutely. Lewis is part of the team, and the team is part of Lewis.

“[There’s] no reason not to continue.”

Hamilton has won six titles with Mercedes to move level with Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of seven.

Hamilton was pipped by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in 2021 and then didn’t contend last season as Mercedes struggled for pace.

Asked if the previous few years have made Hamilton even hungrier for more success, Wolff said: “I think one of his strengths is that he’s always hungry, he’s always eager.

“He’s a great sportsman, but he’s also someone that’s extremely driven and determined.”

Speaking in December, the Mercedes driver told Sport Bild: “Motorsport isn’t the most important thing for me.

“When I was a kid maybe it was. Probably also when I got into Formula 1. Ever since I was in my 30s, I’ve realised that it’s all about making memories. With friends, with family. It’s about key memories with the people who mean the most to you.

“That’s what I focus on and plan things to create those moments. Because that’s what you take with you in the long run.

“Sometimes you wake up and have this feeling: I don’t want to do this anymore. And sometimes you wake up and think: I can still do other things my whole life, there is definitely more I want to achieve. It won’t be a terribly long time now, but I’ll definitely be staying.

“I think retiring as a world champion is a dream that every athlete has – and so do I.”