'Hamilton to Mercedes' reports denied

Reports that McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of signing a deal with Mercedes have been denied by his management team.

Team reaffirm parties are in advanced talks over a new deal

Claims that Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of signing a deal with Mercedes have been denied by his management team. The McLaren driver's future has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the season with the 2008 World Champion yet to sign an extension to a contract which expires at the end of the current campaign. That speculation went into overdrive on Wednesday when reports claimed that a deal between Hamilton and Mercedes was 'imminent'. With Michael Schumacher yet to make a decision on his future, it is feasible that Mercedes will have a driver vacancy for 2013. However, a McLaren spokesman said: "We have been told by Lewis Hamilton's management team (XIX Entertainment) the story is untrue." A spokesperson for XIX has also poured cold water on the reports by suggesting that Hamilton is actually closer to re-signing with McLaren than moving elsewhere. "As mentioned in the past by all parties, we are in advanced discussions with McLaren about a new deal," they stated. "More importantly, at the moment, Lewis is focused on Monza and competing strongly for the championship."