Lewis Hamilton relaxed over new Mercedes deal despite 'sticky' issues
World champion ready to do battle with Nico Rosberg again for the title - and will welcome all-comers to the party
Wednesday 11 March 2015 11:34, UK
Lewis Hamilton has admitted there are some “sticky” issues still to be resolved before he signs a contract extension with Mercedes.
The reigning world champion, who will drive Mercedes’ new W06 car for the first time on Monday at Jerez, has already entered the final year of the three-season contract he signed with the Silver Arrows when he quit McLaren at the end of 2012. But despite the obvious appeal for both parties to agree an extension after their title-winning success last year, Hamilton is seemingly in no rush to put pen to paper.
Asked if he would prefer to have his future finalised before the start of the new F1 season, Hamilton replied: “I don’t have a particular feeling. It would be great if we got the sticky parts out of the way early. But I’m sure it will be sorted – I want to stay and vice versa from the team.”
Reports on Sunday claimed that Hamilton and Mercedes opened contract talks when the Jerez test commenced with Nico Rosberg behind the wheel of the W06, suggestions which Hamilton hardly refuted when he admitted he hadn’t been able to closely follow his team-mate’s progress in their new car.
“I wasn’t over there [in the Mercedes garage] a lot,” he revealed. “I was involved in other things.”
Hamilton has already been installed as the favourite to retain the world championship he won from Rosberg in a thrilling battle for the 2014 crown. Hamilton, though, is determined to adopt a more prosaic approach to the new season.
“A third title is not my motivation, l just love racing and competing and the challenge,” he explained. “It doesn’t feel any different, it feels like the start of 2014 again. But I now know the car and the engine so l am in a better position – and I want to win this year.”
With the Mercedes W06 instantly impressing as it registered a remarkable 157 laps on Day One in southern Spain, the prospect of another all-Mercedes battle for the title is already looming large.
“I don’t mind as long as there is a fight so I get to enjoy some battles,” responded Hamilton. “That is what l enjoyed last year and that is what l live for. The more l get to fight with the merrier. Bring it on.”
The Sky Sports F1 Online team will be providing live commentary from all four days of testing in Jerez – from dawn on Sunday to dusk on Wednesday. Sky Sports News HQ will also have live updates from trackside.
