Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s new contract with the Silver Arrows is ready to be signed, with the Austrian admitting that the only thing missing is “the date on the contract”.
Hamilton’s future was a huge talking point ahead of the recent Monaco Grand Prix, following reports that Ferrari were planning a £40 million swoop for the seven-time World Champion.
These reports though, were categorically ruled out by Wolff, who confirmed that the 38-year-old was definitely not moving to Maranello in 2024.
“No, not happening,” Wolff told Channel 4, when asked if Hamilton is moving to Ferrari.
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“We just need to put the date on the contract and sign it.”
With Hamilton’s contract ready to be signed, it remains to be seen just how soon the driver and team principal will meet to get the deal over the line, with some having been surprised that it wasn’t completed at the Circuit de Monaco.
Wolff revealed that he simply didn’t see Hamilton enough in Monaco for the pair to meet and sign the contract, with the 103-time race winner having been spotted at several events prior to the Grand Prix.
“We didn’t see each other these last few days,” Wolff revealed.
It does appear that contract negotiations have suddenly sped up following the recent rumours regarding Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc having also been linked to Mercedes.
Whilst it was again confirmed by Wolff as being untrue, Italian media reported that Leclerc was holding secret conversations with the Brackley-based team, over a move to the Silver Arrows.
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The likelihood is that Leclerc will remain at Maranello for several more years, with his own contract not being up until the end of next season.
Hamilton on the other hand, is expected to sign a new multi-year deal taking him to the end of 2025, which is also the final season before the new power unit regulations are introduced.
Whether the veteran will see that as a prime opportunity to retire remains to be seen, especially as he would be 40 years old come the end of his new deal, should it be for multiple seasons as reported.