LEWIS HAMILTON will sign his new Mercedes contract ‘soon’, Toto Wolff has confirmed.
The constructors champions are the last Formula One team able to formally confirm their line-up for the 2021 season.
Lewis Hamilton is set to stay at Mercedes with team boss Toto WolffCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Negotiations are thought to have been thrown off by Wolff contracting coronavirus earlier this month with the team boss speaking of ‘curveballs’ delaying an agreement.
But, in conversation with German outlet RTL, the 49-year-old insisted that the deal will be signed ‘soon’.
The timing of the agreement will enable Hamilton to be in the car for the start of the new season and March’s testing in Bahrain.
Wolff stated his belief that the parties must come to a ‘sensible agreement’.
And he added that Mercedes and Hamilton are ‘not far’ from settling on a package.
The seven-time world champion is thought to be holding out for a £40million salary plus entitlements to TV and sponsorship earnings he brings to the team.
Initial reports suggested a three-year deal would be on the table.
But Wolff has asserted that that is not the case, given the upcoming rule overhaul for the 2022 season and F1’s introduction of a budget cap.
During talks, Hamilton has jetted off to the United States and recently told fans of his morning hikes across snowy mountains.
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Despite the lengthy delay in the Brit putting pen to paper, Wolff is adamant that the duo have maintained their strong working relationship.
The Austrian added: “Our relationship is not only professional, but also a friendship.
“Lewis is incredibly important, not only for our team, but also for the Mercedes brand.”
Lewis Hamilton hikes to the top of a mountain every morning to ‘set his goals’
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
