Lewis Hamilton has put aside speculation about his future in F1 in the wake of reports linking him with Ferrari, revealing that a new contract with Mercedes is “almost ready” to be signed.
Hamilton is in the final year of his last contract with Mercedes, written in 2021with rumors ahead of the Monaco race weekend suggesting that Ferrari was preparing a big offer to lure him away.
YOU NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
However, the seven-time world champion insists that talks that began with Mercedes earlier this year are still ongoing, while denying any suggestion of contact between him and Ferrari.
“I think naturally when you’re in contract negotiations, there’s always going to be speculation,” Hamilton said. “Unless you hear it from me, then that’s what it is.”
As for how his talks with Mercedes are progressing, Hamilton expects the process to conclude in the “next few weeks”, continuing: “My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto [Wolff]We are almost at the end of having the contract ready.
“Having the team focus on that, so I can do my job, is a much better position than I was in before. I remember I used to do all the negotiating on my own and it was very stressful, so I don’t have to do that anymore.”
THIS WEEK IN F1: 10 quiz questions on the latest F1 news ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix
With one of Ferrari’s two current drivers, Charles Leclerc, also in attendance during Friday’s press conference in Monaco, the home favorite was asked his thoughts on the reports and the possibility of racing alongside Hamilton.
“If I say yes, I imagine it will be the headline of all the newspapers!” Leclerc smiled. “I want to say that Lewis is an incredible driver and he has achieved a lot in the sport.
“I think anyone on the grid would love to have Lewis as a teammate as everyone will learn a lot from him. But I’m happy where I am and with Carlos [Sainz] It’s also a great relationship.”
Turning the spotlight back to the action on the track, this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix will see Mercedes unveil its long-awaited upgrade package, which features revised sidepods.
FIRST LOOK: Mercedes’ long-awaited updates come out in Monaco, with some big changes in the offing
“It’s going to be hard to see how it works out on this type of track, but I’m hopeful it gets us a little closer to these guys,” Hamilton said of the changes. “I don’t think we’ll necessarily be fighting for a win, but I hope we’ll be more in contention.”
Mercedes heads into the Monte Carlo event taking third place in the builders classificationbetween second-placed Aston Martin and fourth-placed Ferrari, while Hamilton and his teammate George Russell sit fourth and sixth in the battle of the drivers.