Toto Wolff has claimed that reports of Lewis Hamilton being offered a £40m deal by Ferrari were “placed” to influence Mercedes’ contract negotiations. Wolff stated that he and Hamilton have a “pact” and he was sure there had been no discussions between the seven-time world champion and the Italian team. Hamilton had denied the reports and said that an agreement with Mercedes over a new deal was almost finalised. In Monaco, Hamilton qualified sixth before being promoted to fifth following Charles Leclerc’s three-place grid penalty. Hamilton also crashed into the barriers during Practice Three, but said he had “loved every second” of driving in Monaco. Wolff admitted that a set-up decision had backfired for Hamilton and Mercedes during qualifying, but hopes that their new components will give them a chance to compete in future races. George Russell will line up eighth on the grid for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.
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