F1: is Lewis Hamilton set to sign a new contract with Mercedes?

Hamilton to stay at Mercedes?

After months of speculation linking him with a move to Ferrari in 2021, reports in Italy claim that Lewis Hamilton is set to stay with Mercedes and sign a new two-year deal.

British driver Hamilton is out of contract at the end of 2020 and it was revealed last month that he had held informal talks with Mercedes’s main rivals.

However, Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the 35-year-old is on the verge of extending his contract with Mercedes and will continue to drive for the champions in 2021 and 2022.

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Journalist Luigi Perna says that Hamilton’s annual salary will remain at about €45m (£38.4m).

Ferrari have recently signed Charles Leclerc to a new five-year contract until 2024 and GrandPrix247.com reports that Hamilton’s options for 2021 and beyond have “become limited”.

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Lewis: I will be a machine

Six-time world champion Hamilton has sent a warning to his rivals ahead of the new season.

Going into the 2020 campaign aiming to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles, Hamilton says he will be a “machine” and on “another level”, Sky Sports reports.

Posting a picture at his home, Hamilton said on Instagram: “I am at peace when I’m here, can focus and build my mind and body so that I can come back year on year. I’m going to be a machine this year, on another level than ever before.”

Valentine’s Day shakedown

Mercedes have announced that they will reveal their 2020 car with a shakedown at Silverstone on 14 February.

In a news release the Silver Arrows said: “We are delighted to announce that our 2020 Formula One car will run for the very first time on Friday 14 February for its initial shakedown run at the Silverstone International Circuit - 75 days after the last Grand Prix of 2019 in Abu Dhabi and 30 days before the new season kicks off in Australia.”

2020 car launch dates

Mercedes follow Ferrari, Renault, McLaren and Alpha Tauri in confirming the launch date of their 2020 F1 car.

Pre-season testing takes place in Barcelona from 19-21 February and 26-28 February. The first grand prix of 2020 will be held in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday 15 March.

Confirmed car launch dates

• Ferrari: 11 February
• Renault: 12 February
• McLaren: 13 February
• Mercedes: 14 February
• Alpha Tauri: 14 February

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