With just days before the start of the new 2015 Formula One World Championship, defending F1 title holder Lewis Hamilton is close to securing his Mercedes future.
The two-time Formula One World Champion is entering the final season of his contract, the third year of a deal he signed after opting to leave McLaren.
The Brit has become the most successful British racing driver in history, surpassing the wins total amassed by 1992 Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell and in 2015 he will be aiming to win his third championship, something that will put him alongside the greats of the sport such as Sir Jackie Stewart and Hamilton’s idol Aryton Senna.
Over the winter, Hamilton has reportedly gone through some troubles in his personal life, splitting with long-term girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger.
But whilst his future at Mercedes was thought to always be secure, it will be a relief to get the deal thrashed out following delays as Hamilton has no formal representation having parted company with his XIX Entertainment management team.
Instead after previously putting contract negotiations on hold to concentrate on his challenge for a second world title, Hamilton has been negotiating the terms of his new deal himself.
‘Hopefully we’re in the final stages, I don’t really know what the timeline is. We’re not rushing, but we’re very much in the last stages of it.’ Hamilton told Sky Sports.
‘Have I enjoyed it? I’m not too sure. It’s been an experience. Learning something new and experiencing something like this, I’m glad I’ve done it. If I’d gone through my whole career and not done something like this then I would have always been wondering if I could or not.
‘It’s a very, very nerve-racking kind of experience, but I just tried to do the best job I possibly could.’
‘It’s very difficult to envisage anything in the future, but for the next few years, for the foreseeable future, I’m committed to this team.’
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The smart money is certainly on Mercedes, they could be as much as a second quicker if they raced to their full potential.