Mercedes may upset F1 pundit after Toto Wolff confirms Lewis Hamilton agreement

Mercedes may upset Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft with Lewis Hamilton unlikely to secure a dream long-term deal. Croft said he would love to see Hamilton remain in F1 for an ‘awful lot longer’ but at least a ‘few more years’. His comments came hours before Hamilton suggested he wanted to stay in F1 for at least another five years. Hamilton has continued to pledge his allegiance to target German marque with team boss Toto Wolff also admitting the team backed the Briton. But, no deal has been sorted with just months remaining on Hamilton’s current terms. Croft told Sky Sports F1: ‘Well Toto says the contract discussion is not about money, that’s not the sticking point. ‘So maybe Lewis is after a longer deal. If you look at Fernando Alonso, just because you’re over 40 doesn’t mean you can’t compete in Formula One.” He added: ‘Personally as someone who loves racing and has watched every single Lewis win, Lewis podium and Lewis pole, I’d love to see him stay around for an awful lot longer. “The sport needs him and I think he needs the sport as well so keep him around for a few more years.’ Toto Wolff has suggested an agreement with Lewis Hamilton is close (Image: Getty) Ahead of the British Grand Prix, The Mail reported that Hamilton had not been successful in securing a five-year extension. Hamilton is instead likely to get a one-year deal with Mercedes retaining the option of another 12 months. There is also understood to be a disagreement over the length of a future ambassadorial deal with Hamilton believed to want a 10-year contract. Wolff appeared to confirm Hamilton’s future with the team, suggesting the length of his deal and paycheck are already agreed. Wolff said: “This is not a money discussion at all. It is about the future, what is it that we want to do right and optimise? We’re not talking anything anymore about duration, money, all of that – it’s other topics.” Lewis Hamilton is yet to sign a new Mercedes deal (Image: Getty) Red Bull has dominated the current rules cycle but regulations are set to change for the 2026 campaign. Croft explained: ‘Christian Horner and Max Verstappen too saying they don’t particularly like what they’re being asked to do in terms of engines for 2026 and immediately those comments are jumped upon by their competitors saying ‘you’re only saying that because your engines rubbish’. ‘Time after time in this sport people want things changed because they don’t think they will be as competitive as they are now or as they might be against their fellow peers in years to come. We will see what transpires there.’