Uncertainty about when Hamilton will sign his new contract

Although Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes management are not saying precisely what is holding up his new deal, others think they know.

Hamilton’s contract runs out this year.

The defending F1 champion has been elusive about when he will sign the new one — reportedly worth a staggering 120 million pounds over three years — while head of motorsport Toto Wolff hasn’t given a date either.

“I can only imagine that a delay can only involve money. And I should think it’s such a grotesque amount of money that Toto’s talking about, it probably is what’s making his eyes water,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said on Thursday.

When asked about the contract on Wednesday, Hamilton was casual-sounding about not being rushed, saying “if it’s not ready this week, and it’s not ready the week after, (then) it’s not ready.”

Hamilton gives the impression he alone decides when to sign. Wolff says this is not so, yet gives no deadline.

There is uncertainty surrounding the future of other F1 drivers, too.

Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, is fighting for a new deal next season, and Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo is considering his options for 2019. McLaren is hoping two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso stays, while Ferrari must decide whether to stick with Kimi Raikkonen. The veteran Finnish driver turns 39 in October, but has started the season well.

Hamilton has also spoken in the past of his fondness for Ferrari, prompting speculation he could drive alongside Vettel next season.

Hamilton joked that a move to Ferrari “wouldn’t happen” because Vettel has a veto on who joins. Red Bull and McLaren, meanwhile, face uncertainty over their drivers.