Lewis Hamilton set to sign new £40m Mercedes deal within days after cryptic post with F1’s Sergio Perez joining Red Bull

LEWIS HAMILTON is set to sign his new £40million Mercedes contract in days.

Mercedes tweeted a picture of Britain’s seven time world champ with the caption “Announce soon” – accompanied by Hamilton stating: “We as a team have more to do together.”

Lewis Hamilton is set to sign his new £40m deal with Mercedes

It came as Mercedes are also poised to reveal UK billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe as new joint owner alongside current head of motorsport, Toto Wolff.

And in what promises to be a blockbuster day for F1 moves, Sergio Perez is understood to have put pen to paper on a deal with Red Bull that means he will partner Max Verstappen in 2021.

Hamilton has made no secret of his desire to stay with the team and said he wanted his future resolved before Christmas.

Meanwhile, understands that Ratcliffe, who is worth £13billion, will become joint owner alongside Mercedes and Wolff.

And at Red Bull, Perez’s expected arrival will mean that Alex Albon will be demoted to reserve and test driver for the Milton Keynes based team for next year.

Hamilton’s own bid for a record-breaking EIGHTH world title will come in the longest season in F1 history.

The 2021 calendar was confirmed yesterday, with a gruelling 23 grands prix.

The Brit, 35, is tied with iconic Michael Schumacher on seven titles but begins his bid to pull clear in Australia on March 21, ending in Abu Dhabi on December 6.

Racing Point’s Sergio Perez is set to join Red Bull

Silverstone, which hosted a double-header in this year’s Covid-ravaged season, will stage the British GP on July 18.

The calendar is dependent on the pandemic and plans are already in place to stage Melbourne’s opener with fans.

Saudi Arabia will make its debut but corruption charges see Vietnam miss out.