Lewis Hamilton has admitted Mercedes recent struggles would not stop him signing a new deal despite a recent row with his engineers. The seven-time champion stressed the Silver Arrows were still a “championship-winning squad” just weeks after he called out mechanics over the design of the W14.
It comes with Hamilton yet to agree new terms with Mercedes with just months let until his current deal expires. When asked if Mercedes lack of pace would impact on a new deal with the squad, Hamilton replied: “It doesn’t have a bearing I think, because we’re still a championship-winning team.
“It’s just we’ve had the wrong car. There have been some decisions that have been made over the past two years that have not been ideal, and we’re working our way through that.”
Earlier this season, Hamilton claimed Mercedes bosses hadn’t listened to him over plans for the new car. He called on engineers to “own up” for their mistakes and demanded “accountability” even though the German marque has a ‘no blame culture’.
Hamilton has since been linked with a move to Ferrari which could see him partner Charles Leclerc. According to The Mail, the Italian squad are lining up a £40 million a year contract to lure him away from the Silver Arrow.
However, Hamilton denied the rumours on Thursday and stressed he had not received any offer from the Scuderia. He also provided a rare update on talks for a new deal, revealing it could be sorted sooner rather than later.
He commented: “My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto. We’re almost at the end of having a contract ready.
“I’m having a team focused on that, so I can just do my job. That’s a much better position than I was in before, because I remember I used to do my negotiations on my own, and it was very stressful. So, I don’t have to do that anymore.”
Last week, team boss Toto Wolff seemed to confirm the pair were still trying to finalise financial terms. He commented: “It’s super awkward. Every three years we know that we have this moment. And it’s like negotiating financial terms with your best friend, with a close friend.
“How do you tackle that? Normally you don’t have such a situation. I want the best for him, but in that role I need the best for the team.”
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