Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton back at Mercedes in 2022?

Toto Wolff opened up on the possibility of Lewis Hamilton returning to Mercedes in the 2022 Formula 1 season, and he sounded optimistic.

After an offseason filled with various reports and rumors about Lewis Hamilton’s future, or lack thereof, with Mercedes, a strong start to the 2021 Formula 1 season for the seven-time world champion with the seven-time reigning constructor champions has quieted some of that talk.

It took Hamilton until just over a month before preseason testing began to become the 20th and final driver confirmed on this year’s grid, nearly two months after the 19th driver was confirmed. In fact, for a time, he was technically no longer a member of Mercedes.

Despite rumors of Hamilton’s hefty contract demands, the 36-year-old Briton only signed a one-year deal to remain with the Silver Arrows.

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He interestingly added later that it was his decision to opt for only a one-year deal, effectively putting both sides in the exact same situation they had been in since before the 2020 season began, although other sources challenged that claim.

Nevertheless, Hamilton looks as strong as he has ever been through the first three races of the 2021 season. He leads the driver standings by eight points (69 to 61) over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen following the first three races after winning Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Prix ahead of Verstappen in second place.

Hamilton won the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix ahead of Verstappen in second place, and Verstappen beat Hamilton to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Neither driver has finished outside of the top two yet this year. Both have taken one pole position, but neither one has won a race from the pole.

But there was never going to be a true escape from talks about his contract situation, given the fact that he is a seven-time world champion who is again slated to become a free agent at the year’s end. Multiple rumors about Mercedes junior driver George Russell or perhaps even Verstappen taking his seat next year have run amok.

However, team principal and CEO Toto Wolff isn’t too concerned. He wants Hamilton back with the team in 2022, and he believes that it will happen.

Hamilton recently tested next year’s brand-new 18-inch tires in Pirelli testing at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Imola), and he told media that “I plan to be here next year.”

Here is what Wolff had to say about the matter to Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Portuguese Grand Prix.

"“Yes, there is no reason why not. It’s the best place to be. He has been with us a long time and I think as long as we can provide the outlook for a competitive package, I see no reason why we shouldn’t be together and continue the marriage.”"

Wolff also noted that he was happy that what they had discussed in private had effectively been revealed to the public when Hamilton said what he said, implying that contract talks have already begun.

He had previously said that he would like to have a deal done and ready to announce by the summer months, so like it was for all of last season and much of the offseason between the 2020 and 2021 season, it appears to be down to a waiting game yet again.

This one might just end quicker.

The next race on the schedule is the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where Hamilton is a five-time winner and four-time reigning winner. This race is set to be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. on Sunday, May 9.