Lewis Hamilton hopes Toto Wolff will remain at the helm of the Mercedes team, but the six-time world champion say's the Austrian's plans won't decide his own future with his team.
Wolff is currently in talks with Daimler chairman Ola Källenius about the scope and nature of his involvement with Mercedes from 2021.
The 48-year-old Austrian could relinquish his role as team principal of the Brackley squad and move into a more senior position that would allow him to take a step back from F1, at least on a full-time basis.
Regardless of Wolff's prospective plans, Hamilton insists they have no bearing on his own talks with Mercedes about extending his contract with the Black Arrows team beyond the end of this season.
"What you’ve got to remember is it’s a team, there’s almost 2,000 people, it’s not just down to one person or one individual," Hamilton explained.
"That’s not to determine whether or not I stay. I’ve been part of building with this team, part of that growth, and the strength is there through and through. It’s not just one individual.
"I think everyone has to do what’s best for them and best for their career and happiness at the end of the day and I think it’s smart for him.
"I think everyone needs to sit, take a moment and evaluate what they want to do moving forward, whether it suits them, their families, and future dreams."
©Mercedes
Hamilton has conquered five world titles under Wolff's guidance at Mercedes and is on track to potentially secure a seventh crown that would equal the record of the great Michael Schumacher.
"We’ve done so much together, but I hope he stays," added Hamilton.
"It’s fun working with him, negotiating with him, having the ups and downs.
"I’m truly grateful to Toto, but I’ll be supportive in whatever he decides to do."
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