World Champion Lewis Hamilton says signing a new contract is not atop his list of priorities as he focuses on securing his record-equalling seventh Formula 1 title.
Hamilton’s current contract expires at the end of 2020 but it is widely expected that the Briton will put pen to paper and remain with Mercedes into 2021.
Team-mate Valtteri Bottas was confirmed for 2021 in August and only six races remain in the coronavirus-delayed 2020 campaign.
When asked whether a renewal with Mercedes was a formality Hamilton replied: “[I] just haven’t really spoken much about it. A formality? I don’t know… Probably.
“I guess at some stage we have to sit down and have the conversation but it’s not a priority right now, getting the job done for me this year personally is the priority. That’s what I’m solely focused on right now.”
Hamilton added that “negotiations are never an easy thing for most people, having to go into an office and sit with your boss, it’s never an easy position to be in.
“I don’t particularly feel uneasy about it, I’ve done it multiple times now. It’s just when the time is right, we’ll do and get on with it.
“At the end of the day I’ve always been committed to this team and completely transparent.
“I haven’t spoken to anybody else, I don’t plan to and at some stage Toto [Wolff] and I will sit down and work out our path moving forwards.
“We have achieved quite a lot together and it’s quite remarkable what we’ve done together over these years and we are still not done.”
Hamilton currently leads the 2020 Championship standings by a margin of 69 points over Bottas with six races remaining this season.
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