Hamilton contract with Mercedes "soon" but three-year deal unlikely - Wolff

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has suggested Lewis Hamilton will not be handed a new three-year deal as expected due to what he describes as the 'changing landscape' in Formula 1.

Wolff has claimed he and Hamilton are "not far away” in their negotiations and that the seven-times champion should "soon" be putting pen to paper on a contract to extend his stay with the team beyond his current eight years.

“We know the deadline is the day we travel to Bahrain [for pre-season testing], but by then we will have everything done,” said Wolff, in an interview with German broadcasters RTL and ntv.

Wolff concedes, however, there are mitigating circumstances in the discussions that Hamilton has to take into consideration, and why he may be unable to get everything he desires.

Asked as to the likelihood of the new contract being over three years, Wolff said: "I don't think so", adding: “We are discussing what the correct duration is so we have to keep our eyes open."

Explaining the thinking by what is, therefore, potentially going to be a two-year deal, Wolff said: "We have a bond which is not only professional but also a friendship.

"Lewis is incredibly important to the team and also the Mercedes brand, but the landscape is changing right now.

"We have a big regulation change next year and the cost cap that will hit us hard next year. These all play a role in our discussions, and then it's about the details but we don’t want to be put under pressure.

"It should be a sensible agreement and we are not far away from that.”

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