Lewis Hamilton says he hopes to have his Mercedes future secured by August in another sign he will stay in Formula 1 next year.
Last month, the seven-time world champion revealed his “plan” to continue into F1’s new era next season was why he chose to volunteer for a rare test day trialling Pirelli’s new 18-inch wheels at Imola after the Grand Prix.
That comment certainly put a smile on the face of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who saw “no reason why” Hamilton would consider anything else in 2022.
“It [Mercedes] is the best place to be,” he added.
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“He has been with us a long time and I think as long as we can provide the outlook for a competitive package, I see no reason why we shouldn’t be together and continue the marriage.”
The Austrian did make it clear though any new Hamilton contract will likely be two years at least in length.
“Yes, it should be [more than a year],” he said speaking with PA. “We don’t want to be in a stressful situation every single year where we are absolutely flat-out trying to win races and needing to negotiate. I would rather that doesn’t happen every year.
“We just need to spend a day or two together, put it out there, and decide which are the difficult components. We will then lock the door and won’t walk out until it is sorted. That works best for us and it has worked best for us in the past.”
As for when a new contract will be agreed, Hamilton identified this summer as the preferred time as this year’s last-minute debacle “ruined my whole winter”.
“Naturally we don’t have to rush anything but I think we have to be sensible and start conversations,” he continued.
“They’re very complex, it’s never a super simple procedure and so hopefully soon we can start, as long as it doesn’t interfere the actual job.
“We still have 19 races to do but it would be great to get something in place before the [August] break so then we could be in that break and have a clear picture of the future.”
Hamilton continuing at Mercedes certainly rules out Max Verstappen going there any time soon.
But recently speaking about his own future, the Dutchman insisted he was more than happy at Red Bull.
“I’ve answered these things quite often. I feel really good in the team and there is no reason to change that anyway,” he said.
“Already before this [engine programme] came out, I’m happy where I am and I hope we can drive together for a very long time and yeah, there’s not much more to say.”