F1 | Mercedes, Wolff on the future line up: “We appreciate Hamilton's opinion”

Mercedes is still in the process of choosing next season's line up. Interviewed on the topic, Stella team principal Toto Wolff admitted that the discussions with Lewis Hamilton for a contract extension are going well, while a final decision has not been made on the other driver: confirmation of Bottas or arrival of Russell? In this regard, the Austrian manager admitted that Mercedes will listen to the advice of the seven-time world champion, even if everything will be managed internally in total transparency.

"We never discussed lineup preferences – Wolff declared to Sky – It's never something that's part of his thinking. Russell? Nationality never played a role. We are an international company and we are global and we want to choose the best drivers. Lewis is part of the team and part of the inner circle of our decision-making process because we simply value his opinion. When we talk about riders there is nothing we don't share with him. He is transparent. But also with Valtteri and George, because I don't want to have secrets. We need to evaluate the situation for the future. Valtteri or George will be warned first".

On Hamilton he then added: “He's hungry. It's a very new situation for him, with such a close battle against a team and a driver. The talks (on the renewal, ed.) they are doing well. There are no difficulties".