The superstar seven-ꦏtime F1 cha𝓀mpion has been locked in negotiations all year to extend the deal that is set to expire at the end of 2023.

Hamilton and team principal Toto Wolff hav♔e constantly insisted an agreement is a formality yet the contract has not yet been signed.

The "likely" agreed salary isꦐ “around £50m a year”, acco😼rding to .

That sum would restore Hamilton to the highest-paid status, above Max Verstappen, on the list of 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:F1 driver salaries - although contra꧅cts frequently carry bonu🌳ses for race or championship wins.

The duration of Hamilton’s neꦑw conꦗtract has also been agreed, according to the same report, and is “expected to be two years”.

But there is “a sticking point”.

The one problem is “the amount of time Hamilton will ▨be contractually obliged to be available for Me𓆉rcedes' sponsors”.

Hamilton is “understandably willin꧒g to play hardball”, the report states.

Hamilton or Wolff did not offer any update♉s on the contract saga at the F1 Dutch Grand Prix. Hamilton suggested𝓀 it was not worked upon during the summer break.

This claim that Hamilton and Mercedes are negotiating how much time he must dedicate to sponsors🉐hip activities was also touted by David Coulthard.

Coulthard told the : “Mercedes will want a certa🗹in amount of time from Lewis for their p🥃artners. 

“Mercedes will have sold sponsorship on obtaining access t𒐪o their driဣvers.

“Some businesses will have signed up with the Silver Arrows because Lewis is the🐓re, rather 🦂than George Russell. 

“Perhaps Lewis might be wanting to do f💮ewer days or have𓂃 fewer commitments?”