Lewis Hamilton set to sign new Mercedes deal – on £10m less a year than current contract – after ‘hot phase’ of talks

LEWIS HAMILTON is expected to sign a new deal with Mercedes within weeks after boss Toto Wolff declared they were entering the “hot phase” of negotiations.

Hamilton was quizzed by ASON-CAL-JUN25-v4.jpg” alt=”” class=”alignnone size-large wp-image-15410608″ width=”542″ height=”1024″ />

F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info

Hamilton, 36, only signed a 10-month deal earlier this year, worth around £40million, yet his new contract is set to dip down to around £30million per year.

The deal is likely to form an extension to the joint foundation between the two that strives to support diversity and inclusion in all Merc’s motorsport programmes.

Once Hamilton‘s future is tied up, Mercedes will switch their attention to lining up his team-mate.

George Russell is increasingly likely to get the nod to replace Valtteri Bottas, despite the Finn’s partnership with Hamilton.

Meanwhile, former Mercedes boss Ross Brawn has accused the team of “trying too hard” as they have “stumbled a bit” in their title fight with Red Bull.

He added: “This is the fascinating thing about F1. Sometimes you win races you shouldn’t win. Sometimes you don’t win races you should win.

“It did feel at the beginning of the year that Red Bull, who were a very slick operation, fumbled a bit.

“But now they are back up to speed. What looked to be the better car is now showing it in the results.

“At the beginning of the year, Mercedes outraced them. That is not the case now.

“It’s been the opposite in the last couple of races. Mercedes are trying too hard, and they’ve stumbled a bit.”