LEWIS HAMILTON took time out of contract talks with Mercedes to go jewellery shopping in Beverly Hills on Friday.
The seven-time Formula One World Champion, 36, has yet to agree terms with the Silver Arrows over the renewal of his £40million-a-year contract.
Hamilton attempted to distract himself from the uncertainty surrounding his future in F1 with a visit to the exclusive XIV Karats Ltd store near Rodeo Drive.
The Hertfordshire-native adhered to Covid-19 safety protocols as he sported a white face mask before peeling away in his £140,000 2000 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
Hamilton has been relaxing in California as he continues his recovery from coronavirus.
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The former McLaren driver tested positive less than 24 hours after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix in November.
Hamilton and Mercedes have been locked in talks over a new deal during F1’s off-season, as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year eyes a record eighth World Drivers’ Championship.
The length of Hamilton’s contract is believed to be a sticking point in negotiations with Mercedes, with the Hertfordshire-native hoping to extend his stay in F1 for two more years.
However, the Constructors’ Champions are only willing to offer Hamilton a one-year-deal, despite him being crowned World Drivers’ Champion less than two months ago.
There are also suggestions he is seeking a cut the TV cash his star status helps attract to Mercedes.
Mercedes will be hoping they can tie Hamilton down for the 2021 season before their new car is unveiled on March 2.
Testing for the new season begins in Bahrain 10 days later.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is confident Hamilton will put pen to paper ‘soon’.
Negotiations are thought to have been thrown off by Wolff contracting coronavirus last month with the team boss speaking of ‘curveballs’ delaying an agreement.
Mercedes are the last F1 team to confirm their driver line-up for the 2021 season.
