F1 News: Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton To Begin Contract Talks

As his contract with Mercedes AMG Petronas is nearing its expiration, Lewis Hamilton has made it his top priority to reach an agreement with the company now that the 2020 season has ended.

The seven-time F1 Drivers’ champion acknowledged that he wants to continue with the Silver Arrows with whom he has claimed six of his seven crowns, while also helping the team clinch its seventh-consecutive Constructors’ championship.

If he will have it his way, Hamilton seeks to conclude negotiations before Christmas. He believes that he and Mercedes will have much more to achieve together on and off the track.

"I plan to be here next year. I want to be here next year," Hamilton said after finishing third in Sunday's Abu Dhabi finale, as quoted on ESPN.

"Us, as a team, have more to do together and more to achieve both in the sport but even more outside the sport I think. I hope we can begin discussions this week and hopefully get it tied up before Christmas."

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff bared that the delay of signing Hamilton to a new deal was due to the 35-year-old's decision to prioritize his remaining races on the F1 track.

The executive also revealed that the holdup was further extended after the British racing sensation tested positive for COVID-19.

"It is going to happen. There is no reason it shouldn't happen now," Wolff told reporters after the final race of the 2020 F1 season. "We'll have this conversation. We always said that we will do it after the title was won and then the virus delayed us for another 10 days, two weeks and now we just have to sit down, maybe virtually or maybe live."

Mercedes, along with Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri, is yet to confirm its driver lineup for the 2021 Formula 1 season.