“It is not so simple” - Wolff on his F1 future and Hamilton contract latest

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says it has not been “simple” to progress talks regarding his own future and that of Lewis Hamilton due to a lack of time between Formula 1 races.

Wolff had previously stated he hoped to use the “larger gaps” in the 2020 F1 calendar to work towards finalising an agreement with Hamilton over a renewed deal, but neither Hamilton or Wolff are any closer to committing to new contracts.

Both have stressed they do not wish to be distracted by contract talks amid Mercedes’ quest to secure an unprecedented seventh world championship double this year.

Despite holding initial talks over potentially running F1 before it was announced that ex-Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali would become the sport’s new CEO, Wolff has insisted that he remains committed to Mercedes but has hinted that his role within the organisation could change.

“We simply don’t have time to sit down and have a chat,” Wolff, who has a 30 percent share in Mercedes, explained at the Eifel Grand Prix.

“It is the same is for my own contract, things are happening in the background and are being negotiated but it is not so simple because there is a shareholding and how we are continuing.

“It’s clear from the Daimler side and from my side that we want to continue to work with each other in the partnership we have.

"And for Lewis, I guess he wants to be in the quickest car and would like to have the quickest driver in our car, so it seems pretty obvious. We just need to find the time and sit down.”

Hamilton has remained relaxed and excited about his future and said at the Nurburgring he has no intention of quitting F1 any time soon after he equalled Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 grand prix victories.

“I think I’ve got the best team behind me, who continuously inspire me,” Hamilton said.

“Each year I come back to the factory and see these guys pumped up and focused and being incredibly smart and innovative every year. And also just so welcoming to me you know.

“You would have thought that after all this time we’d get fed up with each other but we don’t, there’s a real love within this team and I’m grateful for that. I love doing what I do - I love the challenge.

“It is so hard and I think I would be willing to say there’s potentially not enough respect that is probably given to all these drivers who dedicate their lives in terms of preparation, the amount of work that goes on n the background to be able to do what all of us do in this sport, past and present, is really remarkable and I love being a part of that,” he added.

“The sport, the smell of it, the whole aura and atmosphere it creates is going to be difficult to let it go. But I do feel, whilst I’m older than these guys, I feel as young as them, at least, in spirit. I’m still very much a kid when I’m off the camera.

“That will probably change when I start seeing grey hairs and stuff but I’m good for now.”