Hamilton, who won the fourth F1 title of his racing career last year, is under contract with the German manufacturers until the end of the 2018 campaign. And he’s been locked in talks with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff throughout the off-season about extending his stay with them. Hamilton’s deal is thought to have been held up by extended negotiations over pay and how many days he must work. The latest reports suggest he is due to sign on the dotted line before this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
F1 2018 driver salaries Mon, January 15, 2018 Which F1 2018 driver is paid the most, according to www.tsmsportz.com? Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 20 Which 2018 F1 driver earns the biggest salary?
According to The Sun, Hamilton is 'set to sign' a contract that will be worth £120m if he sees it out in full. The terms of the agreement will tie him down to Mercedes for an initial two years. And he will have the option to stick with them for another season - taking home £770,000 a week in the process.
GETTY F1 star Lewis Hamilton is set to put pen to paper on a new £40m-a-year Mercedes deal
GETTY Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the fourth F1 title of his career last year
GETTY Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes from McLaren ahead of the 2013 F1 campaign
Alongside being Britain’s most successful F1 driver ever, Hamilton will be its best-paid sportsperson. Wolff is said to be eager to have the deal finalised before Saturday’s race in Melbourne. Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton has admitted he still doubts his own ability at times.