LEWIS HAMILTON has hinted at his future plans amid ongoing contract talks.
The seven-time Formula One champion’s current contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the season.
The two parties have been in ongoing talks for months.
But now Hamilton appears to have given the biggest hint yet that he will still be on the grid next season.
When asked about the constructor’s plans for next year’s car, Hamilton revealed there had been a number of “big meetings” in recent weeks.
He said: “We’ve just got to continue to work and chip away at it and that’s what we are trying to do.
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“We will have bits [coming to the car] over the [upcoming] races, it could come soon enough, but I’m pushing as hard as I can.
“I was having big meetings with the team, speaking to the head of aerodynamics, head of vehicle dynamics with what is in mind for next year’s car.”
Despite Hamilton and Mercedes team Principal Toto Wolff both seemingly being on the same page for the 38-year-old’s new deal, Hamilton has also been heavily linked with a team switch.
Ferrari had been the main party linked with the Brit, but Red Bull boss Christian Horner has admitted his team have considered making a move for Hamilton in the past.
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He revealed: “Lewis is obviously a great driver. Hopefully he’ll be around for many years to come.
“There’s been a couple of occasions in history that we’ve had a couple of conversations about the possibility of joining Red Bull, but that’s not been anytime recently.”
While Hamilton has won six of his seven titles at Mercedes, they are currently nowhere close to the pace of Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
Hamilton secured a podium finish at the Silverstone Grand Prix but remains in the hunt for his first race win in F1 since 2021.
Next weekend’s race – the Hungary GP – is another track Hamilton has a particular affinity for, winning eight times around the Hungaroring Circuit.
And he will need to find his best pace if he is to stand a chance at beating Verstappen and Co who are set to bring upgrades to their car which could reportedly make them up to two-tenths quicker.
Away from the track Hamilton has been linked with music superstar Shakira.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
