F1: Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton is ‘open’ to a future Formula E drive

Wolff and Hamilton discussed Formula E

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that Lewis Hamilton would one day be “open” to driving in Formula E, GPBlog reports, but for now the five-time world champion is fully focused on Formula 1.

The Silver Arrows have recently launched a Formula E team and Wolff told Sky Sports: “Lewis follows a lot of motorsports and we have certainly already talked about Formula E.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

“When we were both unable to sleep in Shanghai, it came on TV and we sat together watching. We exchanged some ideas there then.

“Lewis is a versatile driver who really has an eye for that sport. If the popularity for Formula E will increase, then he really is someone who is open to it. But now his focus is still on Formula 1.”

Ricciardo happy at Renault

BBC Sport reports that Daniel Ricciardo is keen to stay with Renault and help the team progress.

The Australian, who left Red Bull at the end of last season, said: “Do I want to stay? Yes, because ideally we do get this to the next level.

“It was my massive intention to come here. My intention wasn’t to have a two-year layover somewhere else.

“I know people might still think that, but I really want this to work. I feel like the hours I have put in this year have shown I have the drive to want to do so.”

Hulk plays down Haas rumours

While Daniel Ricciardo is staying with Renault, his current team-mate Nico Hulkenberg is without a drive for next season after Esteban Ocon was announced as his replacement.

German Hulkenberg has been linked with a move to Haas, potentially to join Kevin Magnussen and replace Romain Grosjean. However, when asked about a switch to Haas he would not confirm a deal was done, GrandPX reports.

“There’s nothing signed currently, but my team and I are working on it,” he told N-TV. “There is definitely interest and options that we are working on, there are negotiations and talks, but nothing concrete has been decided yet. But if I want, I’ll get another race seat.”