Wolff: No discussions with Hamilton over 2022 teammate

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Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton has not expressed a preference for who should be his teammate at Mercedes in the future, insisting such an approach is "never something that is part of his thinking".

The seven-time world champion revealed this week in Austria that he has started his contract talks with the Brackley squad.

Queried on the prospect of having either Valtteri Bottas or George Russell sitting on the other side of the garage in 2022, Hamilton replied by saying that the Finn "is a fantastic teammate and I don’t necessarily see that it needs to change".

Wolff said that preliminary discussions with Hamilton had not included any reference to Mercedes' 2022 line-up, although the Austrian insisted that he would always approach the topic in total transparency with the Briton.

Read also: Hamilton has started 'positive' contract talks with Mercedes

"We have never discussed preferences about line-up," Wolff told Sky Sports F1. "That is never something that is part of his thinking."

"Lewis is part of the team and has always been in the inner circle of decision making because simply we value his opinion.

"And in the same way, when we’re talking about drivers, there’s nothing we’re not sharing with him. It’s transparent.

"But the other way around, too, when I speak to Valtteri, it’s open. When I speak to George, it’s very much open because I don’t want to have any hidden agendas.

"And we need to evaluate the situation for the future. Valtteri had some really good weekends but he also had some off weekends and we just need to minimise those.

"Then we will take a decision and whatever decision we will be taking, Valtteri or George, the person that’s involved in that, will be hearing that first. And that is the driver."

Hamilton, who is expected to remain on the grid next season, said that his initial talks with Mercedes had been "positive". And Wolff confirmed that the discussions had indeed been "pretty laid back because it’s going well".

"We are discussing, there is no stumbling blocks," concluded Wolff.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.