Wolff hopeful of quick Hamilton deal

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says he is hopeful of agreeing a new long-term deal with Lewis Hamilton shortly after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Mercedes has delayed talks with Hamilton – contracted until the end of next season – to allow him to focus on his title battle with team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton leads Rosberg, who agreed a multi-year extension in July, by 17 points ahead of this weekend's Abu Dhabi finale, with double points on offer.

"We did that very consciously even when the rumors accelerated around other drivers and our team," said Wolff, when asked about the delay.

"We sat down again and said, 'Should we maybe take those conversations forward?' and we decided, 'No, it's not the best thing to do'.

"And so on the Monday or Tuesday after Abu Dhabi we will sit down and discuss and hopefully find a solution quickly."

Wolff praised Hamilton's influence since joining the team last season, and stated his desire to keep the Briton onboard "for many more years".

"He's great for the team, he's part of the family and the relationship we all enjoy is more than just a professional racing relationship between driver and team," said Wolff. "It's on a different level."

Wolff is also confident that Hamilton's decision to part ways with XIX Entertainment will have little bearing on his ability to conclude a fresh agreement.

"Lewis is a very intelligent and mature person now who knows more about Formula 1 than many other managers out there," Wolff explained.

"I think he can represent himself in a good way, he has good support from consultants he needs to have, be it legal or tax or whatever. He knows what he wants and is straight about it."