Mercedes retain black colours

LEWIS Hamilton’s Mercedes car will again be painted black for the Briton’s historic assault on an eighth world championship.

Last year, Hamilton urged the Mercedes hierarchy to change its traditional silver livery in a defiant message against racism.

The German manufacturer is set to continue with the same colour scheme when Hamilton begins the defence of his crown in Bahrain on March 28.

Hamilton, who turned 36 last week, is in the highly-unusual situation of being out of contract after his £40 million-a-season Mercedes deal expired on December 31. Both parties have been in dialogue in recent weeks, and although discussions are progressing, a conclusion is not thought to be imminent.