With 22 races to go in the 2023 season, it will certainly be too soon to discuss the silly season, or will it? The rumors and discussions of a driver’s future with the team are never-ending. However, for the first time in almost a decade, Lewis Hamilton is at the center of this silly business. Hamilton’s contract expires at the end of 2023 and there is a belief in the Mercedes camp that the Brit might be on his way out.

However, not anytime soon as Toto Wolff revealed that to the media, quoted by BBC. The boss is “absolutely confident” the seven-time world champion will extend his partnership with the Brackley outfit. However, if the team cannot provide him with a championship-winning car in the next couple of seasons, the Brit will look elsewhere. This is building onto the rumors of the Brit joining Ferrari.

“Nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to make sure he has the car. If we cannot demonstrate we are able to give him the car in the next couple of years, he needs to look everywhere,” he said. Currently, the W14 is not capable of winning races, let alone a championship.

Hence, the Austrian believes if Hamilton doesn’t see progress soon there is a possibility he leaves. “I don’t think he’s doing it at this stage. But I will have no grouch if that happens in a year or two,” he added.

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The whole debate of Hamilton’s future balances on the performance of the cars that the team provides the Brit in the next couple of seasons. If Hamilton sees Mercedes cannot deliver him a competitive enough car, Wolff has accepted Hamilton will leave.

However, he believes the Brit is ready to give Mercedes some benefit of the doubt because of his bond.

Lewis Hamilton will extend with Mercedes owing to the loyalty and bond with the team

The Brit has won six out of his seven championship titles with the team, and that counts for something. This is what Wolff believes as well and also revealed Hamilton is well on his way to agreeing to a contract extension. For now, Hamilton isn’t leaving, and it’s all to do with his bond with the team.

“I don’t think that Lewis will leave Mercedes. He’s at the stage of a career where we trust each other, we have formed the great bond among each other and we have no reason to doubt each other, even though this is a difficult spell. But so nice it will be when we come out of this valley of tears, and come back to solid performances.”

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With Hamilton on his way to agreeing to a contract extension, the air of uncertainty for the next few seasons is thin. However, the Brackley outfit needs to dig deep to provide Hamilton with a car that can fulfill his dream of an eighth championship. As things stand, the W14 isn’t capable!