Wolff: Hamilton has never discussed Mercedes F1 teammate preferences

The seven-time world champion revealed ahead of this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix that he has started talks with Mercedes over a new deal to stay with the team beyond this season.

Hamilton also hinted that he would like Bottas to remain his teammate for 2022, with the Finn’s future uncertain as Wolff weighs up whether to retain him or replace him with Mercedes protege George Russell.

Speaking on Friday in Austria, Wolff said that Hamilton’s teammate for 2022 has not been brought up during their contract talks.

“We have never discussed preferences or not about line-up,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1. “That is never something that’s part of his thinking.”

Wolff also played down the suggestion that Mercedes could reap a marketing benefit by running two British drivers in its line-up.

“Nationality has never played a role,” Wolff insisted. “We are an international company and we are global and you want to choose the best drivers.”

While Wolff explained that Hamilton’s opinion will always be “valued” by Mercedes, he stressed that the driver the team eventually picks to finalise its line-up will be the first person to know.

“Lewis is part of the team and has always been in the inner circle of decision making because simply we value his opinion,” he said.

“And in the same way, when we’re taking about drivers there is nothing we are not sharing with him, it’s transparent.

“But the other way around too, when I speak to Valtteri, it is open. When I speak to George, it is very much open because I don’t want to have any hidden agendas.

“We need to evaluate the situation for the future. Valtteri had some really good weekends but he also had some off weekends and we just need to minimise those. And then we will take the decision.

“Whatever decision we will be taking, Valtteri or George, the person that’s involved in that will be hearing that first - and that is the driver.”