Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton is believed to meeting Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff this week to discuss the 38-year-old’s contract extension, which is “almost” ready to be signed.
Hamilton’s current deal is set to expire at the end of this season, with him reportedly pushing for a multi-year extension until the end of 2025.
The expectation is that this would see Hamilton earn £100 million over the two seasons; however, The Sun have reported that Mercedes are only going to offer a one-year deal.
According to The Sun, the Silver Arrows will offer Hamilton a deal to take him to the end of 2024, with a spokesperson having told the newspaper: “There are no stumbling blocks.”
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Hamilton revealed after claiming second at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday that a meeting was scheduled with Wolff.
“I haven’t signed anything yet, but I think we are meeting with Toto tomorrow [Monday] so hopefully we can get something done,” Hamilton said at the Spanish GP.
Despite admitting that the aim is to “get something done”, Hamilton downplayed this as being a “subtle hint”, when pushed to comment further on the negotiations.
As things stand, Hamilton is currently very happy with Mercedes and was delighted with his “really special” podium, proving that the current negotiations aren’t impacting his performance.
“It wasn’t a subtle hint. We’ve had so many meetings and this is just another one of the meetings we are having,” Hamilton added.
“You could see today my performance is not affected by that, but it’s always something that’s at the back of your mind. Once that’s done then you are able to then focus more and think about the future.
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“I’m working as hard as I can with this team and I see so much strength within the team. They are still so hungry.
“The podium today was really, really special. To be able to see the excitement in all the people that have worked for such a long time.
“When we go back right now, there will be great energy in the office. These guys take two seconds to enjoy themselves and be happy and then they’ll be back down into the books and trying to figure out how we can win the next race.”