Toto Wolff admits Charles Leclerc needs to be on 'long-term' radar but Mercedes committed to Lewis Hamilton
Leclerc has found himself heavily linked to Mercedes as a potential replacement for seven-time world champion 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton, whose current contract with the Silver Arro🅰ws expires at the end of the season.
Reports in Italy claimed Leclerc - who is under contract to Ferrari until the end of 2024 - had held talks with Mercedes, something the Monegasque denied in the build-up to th💞is weekend’s Azerbai🌠jan Grand Prix.
Mercedes team principal Wolff insisted he has had “no contact” with Leclerc other than a brief🐲 interaction in Melbourne airport.
“I think nobody doubts Charles’ abilit꧅y,” Wolf✃f said. “He is a good guy.
“꧂The only time I talked with him was when we discussed where the gate is in Melbourne when we boarded the plane! No contact otherwise.
“I think he’s 100%. committed and loyal to Ferrari. And it’s his contract. And in the same way we are 100% committed to putting pen to ൲paper with Lewis.”
Althoughꦯ Wolff conceded that Leclerc has to be on Mercedes’ radar, he ruled out an approach any time soon.
“C♛harles is a super guy and for the long-term future, someone you need to always have on your radar,” Wolff added. “And that’s clear.
“But not for the short, and the medium-term.”
Mercedes 'in a really good place’ with Hamilton
Despite the fact Hamilton is yet to sign a contract extension, Wolff reiterated that Mercede🐟s consider a new deal for the 38-year-old to be somewhat of a formalit🐲y.
“He feels very much that he’s strong, and we fee꧋ꦺl the same,” Wolff explained.
“We are not going to race for a driver’s championship this year. That is what it looks like at the moment. And🍒 we just need to give him a car that can do that.
“And hopefully we can get our package to a winning package this season and then have something that can brওin✤g him his eighth title and I’ve no doubt that he’s motivated to achieve that.
“That’s what he lovesꦍ to do. That is his🐬 ability. We have a great relationship, personally myself with him and within the team. It’s one of the strong pillars in the last 10 years.
“So, we’re in a really good place.”
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