24/07/2014
NEWS STORY
With a year of his current contract still to run, Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he is looking to secure a new deal with Mercedes before the end of 2014.
Ahead of the summer break, and a weekend which could see the Briton take the championship lead for the second time this year, the 2008 champion admitted that whilst there is no immediate rush he would ideally like to wrap things up sooner rather than later.
"I am sure something will happen this year," he told reporters at the Hungaroring. "But now is not the time to really focus on that.
"I've made it clear to them that they don't have to worry," he continued, "I'm not out seeing what else there is for me. Mercedes has been my family since I started Formula One so I don't see that changing any time soon."
"I've made no secret to both Paddy (Lowe) and Toto - we have a very good, open relationship - and I've said 'you will be the first to know if I was ever to speak to anyone else'," he added. "But I've said 'there wouldn't be because I want to be speaking to you'. We spoke about having a chat at some stage but I think they're quite relaxed as well, as far as I'm aware. I've shown an interest in sitting down and talking. We haven't sat down yet, but the team know I'd like to push to continue, and they have made clear they would like to do the same."
Asked about talk that Mercedes has its eye on Sebastian Vettel, the Briton smiled. "I am not concerned about that. Ultimately if the team wanted him in the car, that's their decision. I don't have any feelings about it. There will always be a place for every driver and what will be, will be.
"But I feel like I'm very much part of the family here," he continued. "I'm not knocking on Toto's door or Paddy's to get something done because I have faith in them and I think hopefully they have faith in me. I would wish to continue with them and I think they hopefully want to do the same with me."
Teammate and championship leader Nico Rosberg agreed a new "multi-year" deal with the team last week, prior to winning the German Grand Prix.
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