Toto Wolff talks about Mercedes’ decision to not sign longer-term F1 contract with Lewis Hamilton

Following Lewis Hamilton’s ‘emotional farewell’ announcement from Mercedes in 2025, the 7x F1 Champion has been making headlines in the world of Formula 1. Ever since this news broke out, the F1 community have been busy talking about the Briton’s move, which is likely to continue throughout this season.

Regarding Lewis Hamilton’s departure from the Silver Arrows, Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff has again spilled his words into the scene.

Toto Wolff discusses why Mercedes did not extend Lewis Hamilton’s F1 contract

In a recent interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Mercedes’ Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff revealed the reasons behind renewing Lewis Hamilton only to a two-year extension, despite the Briton wanting a multi-year contract.

Speaking during the media session, Wolff admitted that Mercedes was reluctant to offer Lewis Hamilton a multi-year Formula 1 contract, due to the possibility of losing the team’s ‘wonderkid’ protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Comparing the possible scenario with Mercedes’ miss-out on Verstappen back in 2014, he said, “There was a situation many years ago where we had the opportunity to let Max drive. And that wasn’t possible back then because we simply didn’t have a cockpit.”

“[Nico] Rosberg and Hamilton were tied to us long-term, and Red Bull naturally seized the opportunity. They gave him a contract with Toro Rosso, with the possibility of driving for Red Bull the following year.”

“We then lost the young driver, and you can see how successful he has become,” he told ORF.

“And precisely because we have a junior [Andrea Kimi Antonelli] on the horizon who is really driving at a very high level, I simply wanted to keep this option open.”

Dismissing Antonelli as the sole reason behind Lewis Hamilton’s short-term contract, Wolff concluded by adding, “That does not mean that we will actually put Antonelli in the car next year. He is 17 years old, and that might be a bit early. But with a view to the next five or ten years, I just wanted to have this option.”

Aside from Antonelli, the Silver Arrows have other Formula 1 names on the table to ‘ideally’ replace Hamilton, like Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr., who will be ousted by the Briton in 2025.

Carlos Sainz doesn’t mind Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 Ferrari move

On Wednesday, the current Ferrari #2 Carlos Sainz Jr. opened up on his ‘move out’ situation from the Italian Giants in 2025, to make way for the 7x F1 Champion, Lewis Hamilton.

During a media session before the Bahrain GP, Carlos Sainz, with Lewis Hamilton right beside him, revealed that he had ‘no hard feelings’ towards Hamilton over the ex-World Champ’s move to Ferrari as his replacement.

“I think this is how the sport works and obviously I have a lot of respect for Lewis and the success he’s had and obviously his choice to join Ferrari,” he said, admiring the Briton.

Reflecting on his own move to Ferrari in 2021 after replacing Sebastian Vettel, he said, “I would have done the same in his position.”

Adding his own words into the mix, Lewis Hamilton chimed in, “There’s a huge amount of respect between us all and I have a huge amount of respect for Carlos. I don’t feel like there’s any animosity or anything like that.”

“It’s not a personal thing, it’s what happens in this racing world and I hope that nothing changes between us through that. I don’t think it will,” added Hamilton.

Regarding his own move, Sainz also stated that he is still not sure where he’ll be during Formula 1’s 2025 season. He’s completely focused at delivering his best in his last season with Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz will both be racing on F1 racetracks between 29th February to 2nd March at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Did Mercedes make the right move by not tying down Lewis Hamilton on a longer deal? Is Carlos Sainz lying about not being upset over Hamilton’s move in 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.