Author: Barkha Roy
Amid reports that Lewis Hamilton would join Ferrari after his current contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the season, the Briton has confirmed that he is close to agreeing a new deal with his current employers.
Hamilton said he has a team that is collaborating with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over the new contract. Despite Mercedes’ challenges in maintaining competitiveness since 2022, Hamilton emphasized that these difficulties would not influence his desire to continue with the team.
“My team is discussing with the (Mercedes) team in the background and we are almost there,” Hamilton told David Croft of Sky Sports F1.
Hamilton, who had already managed his own contract extensions, now delegated the negotiations to his team of managers. Regarding the ongoing speculation about his contract, Hamilton said that unless the information comes directly from him, it should be considered mere speculation.
He expressed relief at having a dedicated team managing the negotiations, allowing him to concentrate solely on his pilot duties. This is the first time Hamilton has not been personally involved in the negotiations and he expressed gratitude for having a competent team handling the process on his behalf.
When asked about any contact made by Ferrari or its representatives, Hamilton categorically denied any communication, replying with a direct“No“.
Hamilton expressed his expectation to test the updated car brought by Mercedes for the Monaco race. This marks the initial phase of a development plan that began after Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged a mistake in the search for a different car concept during the first race of the season.
Mercedes’ design changes include revised sidepods, floorboards and front suspension, in line with the direction pioneered by Red Bull when the new Formula 1 regulations were introduced in 2022. In addition, certain design elements bear similarities to the unexpectedly successful Aston Martin, which performed prominently in the 2023 season.
On the other hand, Hamilton’s teammate George Russell stated that Mercedes would not make any definitive assessment of the updated car’s performance during the upcoming race weekend. This cautious approach is attributed to the peculiarity of Monaco’s narrow and intricate circuit, which presents unique challenges that may not accurately reflect the car’s overall capabilities.