Mercedes tease imminent Lewis Hamilton contract announcement with five-word update

F1: Lewis Hamilton trains on ski trip

Mercedes have teased fans that an announcement on Lewis Hamilton’s contract could come this week. Mercedes remain the only team in the F1 paddock yet to have two drivers signed up for the 2021 season.

Valtteri Bottas agreed to a one-year extension with the team back in August, but Hamilton’s future is yet to be resolved.

Both Hamilton and Mercedes indicated on numerous occasions that talks over a new deal wouldn’t start until after the final race of last season.

That was in Abu Dhabi on December 13 – over a month ago – and negotiations have since begun with seemingly little to no progress.

Reports have suggested that Mercedes remain confident that Hamilton will eventually sign.

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But the more that time passes with pre-season testing fast approaching, there have been growing concerns that Hamilton could walk away.

The salary and length of Hamilton’s contract are said to be the two main issues with Mercedes reportedly wanting the seven-time world champion to take a paycut from his previous contract.

However, Mercedes have hinted of a breakthrough in contract negotiations on social media.

Mercedes’ Twitter account was responding to a fan who asked: “Any plans this week admin?”

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And they responded with: “Oh, you know. We might be pretty busy.”

They then later tweeted a throwback video detailing the W04 – Hamilton’s first car with the Silver Arrows.

The replies were flooded with fans demanding an update on Hamilton’s contract situation with one person tweeting simply: “announce him.”

And Mercedes played coy on the message, replying: “Announce who?”

The team’s Twitter account has previous of teasing a potential Hamilton contract update.

Just last week, they promoted Mercedes’ F1-branded pen – valued at £9.50 – playing on the fact Hamilton is yet to sign a new deal.

“You never know when one of these might come in handy…” the tweet read, accompanied with an emoji of a winking face.

It remains to be seen whether Hamilton will commit to a new deal with Mercedes or walkaway, but the Silver Arrows appear more confident than not that it will eventually happen.

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