Hamilton contract talks on hold

Lewis Hamilton’s future beyond 2015 has been put on hold.

The 2008 Formula One World Champion and current 2014 title leader is out-of-contract with Mercedes AMG following the end of the 2015 season.

Both Hamilton and Mercedes have spoken about their desire to extend their current contracts, but whilst Hamilton is in the midst of a bruising championship battle with team-mate Nico Rosberg contract talks have been put firmly on hold.

Hamilton currently holds a 17 point lead in the Formula One World drivers championship with three races remaining.

With double points on offer in the season finale at Abu Dhabi that means that there are still 100 points available this season.

?We?ve said many times, and he?s said, that we?d like to continue with Lewis for a much longer period and we?ve decided to delay the discussions about the contract until we have hopefully won the Drivers? Championship,? Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told Sky Sports.

?He wants to stay concentrated, we think that he needs to stay concentrated and not be diluted by legal or financial discussions, and once we have done that we?re going to sit down and hopefully extend it. This is his wish, it?s our wish, so I don?t see any contradictions at that stage.?

But one rumour swirling around the paddock is that of the future of Fernando Alonso.

The former double World Champion has had his contract with Ferrari terminated by mutual consent.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with a return to McLaren to be their marquee signing ahead of the return of Honda to Formula One for 2015.

But there has also been heavy rumours that Alonso would like to take a seat with Mercedes and with Hamilton’s contract set to expire many people have suggested that it could be Alonso at the team in 2016.

?Nobody?s going to take that seat away from him [Hamilton] until he decides so.? Wolff concluded.