Towards the end of last season, both Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed that their relationship would continue beyond 2023.
The seven-time world champion’s current contract expires at the end of this season and with no new deal signed just yet, fans are starting to develop concerns.
Whilst it was expected that a new deal would be signed over the winter break, Hamilton is continuing to stall negotiations following Mercedes’ slow start to the season.
The Silver Arrows are the fourth quickest team on the grid at the moment, even behind Aston Martin who use Mercedes power units.
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It has been rumoured that Hamilton will wait to see how competitive Mercedes become over the course of this season before deciding his future, sparking rumours that he could even walk away from F1.
Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell has rubbished these claims, suggesting that the veteran will stay at Mercedes for the foreseeable future.
“You notice in everything he does that he still has that fire,” he told Formule 1.
“I can certainly see him racing here for a few more years.
“The fact that last season was not great was a new challenge for him. It motivated him. But it doesn’t stop me from wanted to beat him.”
Mercedes boldly decided to still with their zero sidepod concept this season despite Red Bull and Ferrari being more successful last year with a more detailed design.
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Toto Wolff has already admitted that this was a mistake and Mercedes have now begun exploring a different development pathway, with the first major upgrades set to arrive when F1 travels to Imola.
There have even been rumours that Hamilton could sign for Ferrari at the end of the season, should Mercedes not improve enough to allow him to challenge for a record breaking eighth world championship.
The Brit has admitted that he is a Ferrari fan and that he always wanted to drive for the team, leading to rumours that Hamilton could make the controversial transfer at the end of this year.