Lewis Hamilton will look to quit Mercedes as Toto Wolff sets deadline

Lewis Hamilton could quit Mercedes if the Silver Arrows remain uncompetitive, according to team boss Toto Wolff. The Austrian confirmed Hamilton could look at other teams if the German manufacturer is still uncompetitive “in the next couple of years”. 

He was clear Hamilton needed to “make sure he has the car” capable of winning to secure an eighth championship before he hangs up his helmet. Wolff made the remarks at Friday’s press conference ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Initially, he suggested Hamilton was unlikely to leave the squad but appeared to quickly change his mind. Wolff explained: “I don’t think Lewis is leaving Mercedes. “I don’t think Lewis will leave Mercedes. He is at the stage of the career where we trust each other and we have formed a great bond with each other. 

“We have no reason to doubt each other even if this is a difficult spell. So nice it will be when we come out of this valley of tears and come back to solid performances. 

Speculation around Hamilton’s future has increased since Bahrain after Mercedes failed to match the pacesetters for a second year running. Martin Brundle suggested the British F1 icon would not be afraid to walk away from the Silver Arrows. 

Sky Sports host Simon lazmneby has also refused to rule out switching allegiances with Ferrari tipped as the most likely option. It comes as Hamilton has yet to put pen to paper on a new multi-year extension to his Mercedes deal. 

Hamilton has stressed he would not be leaving the German marque but unleashed an incendiary outburst in the run up to the race in Jeddah. The 38-year-old said he demanded tema bosses “own up” and take “accountability” after not listening to him over the direction of the new 2023 model.