Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari hint dropped by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff at Belgian GP

Toto Wolff has once more shut down rumours Lewis Hamilton could leave Mercedes for Ferrari after offering a fresh update on the Briton’s future at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Mercedes team principal admitted Hamilton’s time driving for the Silver Arrows is far from over.

Speculation over Hamilton’s future has been rife with the seven-time champion yet to put pen to paper on a new agreement. But Wolff addressed the delay at Spa-Francorchamps as he revealed more time was needed for both parties to agree to the final terms.

He explained: “No, we’re not talking about an ambassadorial role post his retirement, nor is that part of the contract negotiations. I think he has many years to go as a driver within this team and, therefore, it’s only about cleaning things up in the contract.

“I know it looks a little bit like ‘Why is this not being done and dusted?’ But it’s simply down to trivial things that just need to be cleaned up in contracts and we need the time.”

Earlier this season, reports linked Hamilton to a £40million move to Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc. The Scuderia was said to be so desperate for Hamilton’s services that they would have been willing to swap Leclerc for the Briton.

But Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur and Hamilton both denied talks had been held. Instead, the former F1 champion continued to pledge his allegiance to the Silver Arrows.

The two sides are believed to have disagreed over the length of a new deal with Hamilton keen to stay for five years. But Mercedes look likely to only offer the 38-year-old a two-year contract extension at this stage.

At the Austrian Grand Prix, Wolff suggested the key details had all been agreed with just minor details yet to be finalised. He commented: “I am still very confident it will get done. We want to do it super, and to every detail.

“This is not a money discussion. It is about the future, what is it that we want to do right, and then optimise.” At Silverstone, Hamilton added: “Let’s see, let’s see. I don’t have the pen at the moment but we’re close. I have 100 per cent faith in this team and we are going to get there.

“We have a lot to do, not only on the track but off the track, we’re doing a lot of work with really trying to improve the pipeline, making the team and the sport more diverse.”