Talking terms feels wrong – Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton said he is uncomfortable negotiating a money-spinning Mercedes deal during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hamilton’s £40million-a-year contract is up for renewal in just five months’ time.

But the world champion has parked formal discussions with Formula One’s all-conquering team over an extension to his current deal.

“Honestly, it doesn’t feel like the right time to sit down and talk about it,” said Hamilton, who heads into the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday with a 30-point lead over team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the championship.

“When you think about so many people in the world who have lost their jobs and people who are now unemployed, to sit down and negotiate a big contract doesn’t feel like the most important thing that I need to apply time to at this second.

“I don’t feel comfortable about it so I am going to wait a little bit longer.”

Mercedes announced ahead of this weekend’s race that Bottas will be retained for a fifth season.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is also on the lookout for a drive in 2021 after being axed by Ferrari, but it is understood he was never in contention to partner Hamilton.

Hamilton and teammate Bottas will race with a horseshoe on the front of their Mercedes machines this weekend in tribute to Sir Stirling Moss.

Moss, who died in April aged 90, competed with the logo during his career, signifying his family’s links to horse riding.