Mercedes denies rumours: 'Contract talks with Hamilton haven't begun'

Recently, rumours surfaced about Lewis Hamilton's Formula 1 contract at Mercedes. Negotiations were reportedly in full swing and the Briton would have received a huge offer, but according to the team itself, nothing is true about the speculations.

There has already been much discussion about Hamilton's future in F1. The seven-time world champion's contract expires at the end of 2023. Team boss Toto Wolff expects contract talks with Hamilton to go smoothly and that the Briton will simply extend his contract.

According to Sportune, negotiations between the two parties are said to be in full swing. Hamilton is said to have received an offer of as much as €70 million a year, but to Formu1a.uno a Mercedes spokesperson reveals that negotiations with the British driver have not started at all.

"Obviously, the winter doesn’t stop the rumour mill, and it’s been entertaining to read speculation about contract discussions when they haven’t yet begun. The rumours seem to have started on a French blog, Sportune, with which we don’t have a relationship – and are pretty wild in terms of what they suggest! Toto stated on record last Friday that discussions haven’t yet begun, and that’s exactly the situation", the German racing team's spokesman is quoted.

So although contract negotiations have not yet begun, it looks very much like we will continue to see Hamilton on the grid in 2024. The main question is how long the deal will be between Mercedes and the seven-time world champion.