Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton has hit out at reports surrounding his Formula 1 future, insisting that he and Mercedes have yet to discuss 2021 plans.
Hamilton has been with Mercedes since 2013 and his current two-year deal expires at the end of the 2020 season.
He has previously indicated that he wants to stay at Mercedes – having been affiliated with the marque throughout his racing career – though did not dismiss the notion of a future position at Ferrari.
At last year’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff suggested that there was a 25 per cent chance that Hamilton would depart after the 2020 campaign.
During the winter break both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc signed contract extensions with their respective teams, Red Bull and Ferrari, through until 2023 and 2024.
A report published in the Italian press earlier this week suggested that wage demands were proving a stumbling block in negotiations between Hamilton and Mercedes for 2021.
Hamilton took to Instagram on Wednesday to comment that “FYI Toto [Wolff] and I have not even spoken about [the] contract yet.
“Nothing is being negotiated currently, papers [are] making up stories.”
Hamilton has won five world titles and 63 grands prix since joining Mercedes from McLaren for the 2013 season.
He will again team up with Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes this year, with the duo’s first appearance set for February 14, when the squad’s W11 will be launched at Silverstone.
Discussion about this post