Lights Out: Hamilton calm over contract, but nervous for Melbourne

Lights Out: Hamilton calm over contract, but nervous for Melbourne

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Thursday 15 March 2018 09:00

Lewis Hamilton won't be losing any sleep over his Mercedes future, with a new deal likely to be wrapped up before the Australian Grand Prix. But will the world champion arrive in Melbourne as favourite? He's not so sure... It's lights out for Thursday morning!

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Hamilton is among a clutch of big names whose contracts expire at the end of the year, including Daniel Ricciardo, Kimi Raikkonen and team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

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It doesn't look likely that he will form part of the merry-go-round, however, with pen likely to be put to paper imminently.

He could arrive at Melbourne next week with a new deal, but Hamilton is unsure if he will do so with the fastest car, he expects Red Bull to be strongest.

There were further glances towards the Bulls from the Silver Arrows from Nico Rosberg, who had stern words for Max Verstappen.

"I do not see Verstappen becoming a world champion with Red Bull, because Mercedes is so incredibly strong and Ferrari is also competing."

The will-they-won't-they surrounding Ferrari's F1 future is another thread with a long way to go in 2018.

Jean Todt says the Scuderia are of course free to go, although the former Maranello man, now FIA president, hopes it doesn't happen.

Todt also had time to talk halo, specifically the safety device's critics in the paddock, whom he is not keen of.

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