Lewis Hamilton reveals he’s ‘closer than ever’ to signing a £120m three-year contract extension with Mercedes (Details)

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Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is ‘closer than ever’ to signing a new contract with Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton says he is ‘closer than ever’ to signing a contract extension with Mercedes.

The Briton has been with the German team since 2013 and won his fourth world title – his third with the Silver Arrows – last year.

Hamilton’s current deal expires at the end of the season and talks to extend his stay with the team until 2021 – worth an estimated £120million – have been ongoing since the turn of the year.

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Hamilton signs autographs for fans ahead of the French Grand Prix this weekend

‘When it’s done I’ll tell you,’ said Hamilton. ‘It’s going to happen soon. It’s a lot closer than it’s ever been but it’s not like there’s no negotiation or anything like that, that’s all done.’ 

For now Hamilton’s focus is on regaining the championship advantage from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.

The German leads by a point going into Sunday’s French Grand Prix, which returns to the calendar after a 10-year absence and kicks-off a run of three races in consecutive weekends for the first time in the sport’s history.

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The 33-year-old won his fourth world title – his third with the Silver Arrows – in Mexico last year

‘I’ve been racing forever so everything becomes the norm,’ said Hamilton at Circuit Paul Ricard.

‘I’m excited about getting in the car to feel a new circuit and a new race that I haven’t done before.

‘I feel very positive. It’s back on the calendar and I want to be the first one to win it.’ Hamilton has not tasted victory since the Spanish Grand Prix in mid-May, finishing behind Vettel in the two races since then in Monaco and Canada.

He cut a frustrated figure after finishing fifth in Montreal – where Vettel made it three wins from seven races this season – but is determined to bounce back here at Le Castellet.

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MONTREAL, QC – JUNE 10: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on on the grid before the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 10, 2018 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

‘Every single person has been critical of themselves including me,’ said Hamilton.

‘We come here determined to do a better job. We all can do better to squeeze more juice out of ourselves and the car.

‘Montreal was a very average weekend performance-wise and we’ve got to make sure we’re in top, top shape moving forward.

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MONTREAL, QC – JUNE 10: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP on the drivers parade before the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 10, 2018 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

‘There were some good meetings afterwards where people were openly critical of themselves.

‘There’s things I know I can do better which I’m planning to do.’

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