Lewis Hamilton insists he and Mercedes remain "committed" to each other for the future despite having not yet signed a new contract beyond 2018.
Since the end of last season, it has always been claimed a two-year extension to the world champion's current deal was simply a matter of course, yet with an entire winter having now passed some are wondering what is causing the delay.
Messages remain firmly in the positive that the Briton's new contract will be in place before the first race in Australia next weekend and commenting at an event with main sponsor Petronas this week, Hamilton reiterated that position.
"Mercedes knows I’m committed to them, and they’ve expressed that they are committed to me," he said in Turin.
On the potential to get it done before Melbourne, the four-time champion added: “I hope so, but if not, don’t worry. It will happen.
“We are continuing to talk, obviously we have this year to focus on but it will for sure happen."
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A salary of £40 million each year in 2019 and 2020 has been reported but when asked what the sticking points were, the 33-year-old claimed it was ensuring the best agreement for both sides.
"Ultimately with contracts and partnerships you always want to work on how you can do better," he said. "How you can extract more from each other so that is what we are working on.
"I go to the factory every week and see what it is happening. There is no coincidence that we are world champions and we are number one.
"We are always wanting to move forward," he continued. "It is a new beginning for us this year. We want to win that championship again and there is one more to get."
