Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton says he expects to settle his Formula 1 future within the next few weeks as he moves closer to a new Mercedes deal.
Hamilton joined Mercedes on a three-year contract in 2013, and extended it in 2015, tying him to the marque through to the end of 2018.
As he prepares to enter his sixth season with Mercedes, Hamilton is confident that the matter of his future will be swiftly resolved.
“Me and [team boss] Toto [Wolff] have been talking for a while,” said Hamilton, as Mercedes unveiled its W09.
“Once I left in December, I was away. It's not something I particularly like to do over the phone, and I didn't get back until February.
“During that time we spoke very often, we've constantly been talking to each other.
“Toto knows that I know there is no-one better, so he's not going to be looking anywhere else, and he knows that I know there is no-one else better, so I'm not going to be looking anywhere else.
“So we're comfortable and we're committed to each other. It's just about talking out the details.
“Hopefully we'll have something done before the new season, before we start the first race.”
Hamilton, though, stressed that he is in no hurry, and insisted he is not looking elsewhere for 2019.
“But again we're just in no rush, there's no reason to rush anything,” he said.
“There's no panic. I'm not feeling under any pressure. Toto and Mercedes have no reason to feel that I'm talking to anyone else.
“In the whole six years I've been here, I haven't spoken to another team once. I think that shows my commitment.
“I know that the team have been contacted by other drivers in the past and probably still do today. That's inevitable.
“But we always made it clear that if I was to engage and look at my options, I would inform them, and I've not needed to because I haven't.”
Wolff added: "He's in good spirits, and in terms of our deal coming together, very good discussion, ticking the dots and expecting to come up with some news soon."
