Toto Wolff has scoffed at a media report purporting to know the dizzying value of Lewis Hamilton's next Mercedes contract. Although the reigning world champion now has no manager, the parties remain locked in protracted talks about a new deal beyond 2015. London's Times newspaper said the current discussion is about a new three-year extension worth a staggering $231 million, or $77 million per year.
To be clear, that would be nearly an incredible $1.5 million per week for the 30-year-old Briton, making him easily the highest earner in the history of formula one. "Sources say Hamilton has decided that, as world champion, he must be the best-paid man on the grid and is anxious to overtake the earnings of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso," the report claimed.
German media reports, however, quoted team boss Wolff as utterly rubbishing the claims, saying it is closer to "satire" than reality. "Such numbers are an absolute illusion," the Austrian added. "As Mercedes, we are committed to efficiency, even when it comes to the driver salaries," Wolff insisted.
Mercedes can probably afford to play hardball with Hamilton, given that although he is a proven title winner and arguably the most marketable driver on the grid, the German team is undoubtedly the most coveted address in pitlane. "You're never in a perfect (negotiating) situation," Wolff said, "but as Lewis wants to be with us, and we want to keep him, what we need to do is find a basis for the two sides to come together."
Contract talks were said to be at an advanced stage some weeks ago at the Jerez test, "But it just takes time," Wolff explained. "We have similar ideas, but it is important to implement them in a contract."
Turning his attention to Mercedes' looming title defence, meanwhile, Wolff admitted it will be healthy for the sport if there are more competitive opponents in 2015. "Ferrari has made a big jump," he said, "and according to our estimates, they are also now really fast on the straight. This pleases us, because it is important for formula one that Ferrari is at the front," added Wolff. "Like last year, Williams has built a car with low drag, so the only real question mark we have is Red Bull." (GMM)
Report of $231m deal for Hamilton 'an illusion' - Wolff
- Published on 28 Feb 2015 15:26
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Why Toto Wolff believes Max Verstappen's new Red Bull contract ends the 2025 silly seasonToto Wolff believes the driver market has effectively closed after Max Verstappen committed his future to Red Bull Ra...
25 Aug 2026 12:56 -
Why Wolff isn't worried about Norris repeating Verstappen's comebackToto Wolff has played down the threat posed by Lando Norris's closing title deficit, pointing to Max Verstappen&#...
25 Aug 2026 11:55 -
Can Hadjar return at Monza despite hand injury?Isack Hadjar appeared in the Zandvoort paddock on Sunday with his left hand injury downplayed, prompting Red Bull to ...
25 Aug 2026 10:53 -
Red Bull and McLaren push to overturn Monaco result againRed Bull and McLaren bring their appeal to the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris today, challenging the deci...
25 Aug 2026 09:51 -
Waché admits Red Bull still not at desired level despite recoveryRed Bull technical director Pierre Waché has acknowledged clear progress with the RB22, but insists the team i...
14 Aug 2026 16:04
Dutch Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Dutch Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Driver profile
- Team Aston Martin
- Points 631
- Podiums 9
- Grand Prix 204
- Country ES
- Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (45)
- Place of b. Oviedo, ES
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.71 m
- 188,072 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
Team profile
- Team name Mercedes
- Base Brackley, Germany
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Nico Rosberg 4
- Nico Rosberg 6
- Michael Schumacher 7
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 9
- Lewis Hamilton 10
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli 12
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- George Russell 63
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- 638,662 comments on Mercedes
- 59 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (0)
Login to reply