Hamilton’s current deal with Mercedes runs out at the end of 2018, but there has have been suggestions that he is eager to extend it for several years after that.
With Ferrari committing to Sebastian Vettel until 2020, and the Maranello outfit keeping a close eye on Max Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull, it is logical for Mercedes and Hamilton to continue their successful partnership.
Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says there is no rush to move things on, though, and wants the focus of his team and its driver to be on the F1 championship battle rather than contracts.
“Our relationship is very good and I think each of us appreciates what he has in the other one,” said Wolff when talking about the Hamilton situation.
“But this is not a topic we want to tackle now over the last remaining races of the season. It’s an intense last third of the year, and we’ll get that over the line, and then we’ll pick up a discussion.”
Mercedes has yet to confirm that Valtteri Bottas will remain with the team next year, but Wolff has said several times that it is a “no-brainer” for the Finn to be retained.
What will be more, intriguing, however is how long a contract Mercedes elects to give Bottas.
With Daniel Ricciardo potentially available for 2019, and Verstappen the year after, F1’s driver market is expected to shuffle around a lot over the next few years.
Hamilton's current deal with Mercedes runs out at the end of 2018, but there has have been suggestions that he is eager to extend it for several years after that.
With Ferrari committing to Sebastian Vettel until 2020, and the Maranello outfit keeping a close eye on Max Verstappen's situation at Red Bull, it is logical for Mercedes and Hamilton to continue their successful partnership.
Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says there is no rush to move things on, though, and wants the focus of his team and its driver to be on the F1 championship battle rather than contracts.
"Our relationship is very good and I think each of us appreciates what he has in the other one," said Wolff when talking about the Hamilton situation.
"But this is not a topic we want to tackle now over the last remaining races of the season. It's an intense last third of the year, and we'll get that over the line, and then we'll pick up a discussion."
Mercedes has yet to confirm that Valtteri Bottas will remain with the team next year, but Wolff has said several times that it is a "no-brainer" for the Finn to be retained.
What will be more, intriguing, however is how long a contract Mercedes elects to give Bottas.
With Daniel Ricciardo potentially available for 2019, and Verstappen the year after, F1's driver market is expected to shuffle around a lot over the next few years.
