P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff may have become close while working together at Mercedes, they still found contract negotiations incredibly stressful and tough.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that negotiating Formula 1 contracts directly with Lewis Hamilton was a challenging process, despite their close personal connection. Hamilton, who joined Mercedes in 2013, played a pivotal role in the team’s success, clinching six world championships in his first eight years with the squad. Their strong bond made contract talks difficult and prolonged, prompting Hamilton to eventually appoint a management team in 2023. Wolff admitted that negotiating with a friend like Hamilton was tough, leading to the decision to involve a professional for smoother discussions.
While former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg described Wolff as “horrible to negotiate with,” Wolff defended himself by asserting that he believes in fairness and understanding both sides in a negotiation. He emphasized the importance of empathy and striving for a balanced outcome during contract discussions to meet the interests of both parties. Despite the complexities that negotiations can bring, Wolff remains dedicated to finding mutually beneficial solutions in F1 contract talks.
