Mercedes Formula 1 team principal Toto Wolff said that he and Lewis Hamilton just need more time to discuss his contract extension.
The six-time world champion is yet to agree a new deal that will keep him at Mercedes beyond the end of this season, with the packed schedule limiting the time required to start negotiations.
The role Wolff will play in the organisation going forward remains unclear too with his contract also up at the end of the year, although he said that he was keen to continue his association with the team.
“We simply don’t have time to sit down and have a chat,” Wolff said after last weekend’s Eifel Grand Prix.
“It is the same is for my own contract, things are happening in the background and are being negotiated but it is not so simple because there is a shareholding and how we are continuing.
“It’s clear from the Daimler side and from my side that we want to continue to work with each other in the partnership we have.
“And for Lewis, I guess he wants to be in the quickest car and would like to have the quickest driver in our car, so it seems pretty obvious. We just need to find the time and sit down.”
Despite not yet putting pen to paper on a new deal, Hamilton has also continued to speak positively about his relationship with Mercedes, having equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 race wins at the Nurburgring.
“I think I’ve got the best team behind me, who continuously inspire me,” Hamilton said when asked about his future.
“Each year I come back to the factory and see these guys pumped up and focused and being incredibly smart and innovative every year. And also just so welcoming to me you know.
“You would have thought that after all this time we’d get fed up with each other but we don’t, there’s a real love within this team and I’m grateful for that. I love doing what I do – I love the challenge.
“It is so hard and I think I would be willing to say there’s potentially not enough respect that is probably given to all these drivers who dedicate their lives in terms of preparation, the amount of work that goes on n the background to be able to do what all of us do in this sport, past and present, is really remarkable and I love being a part of that,” he added.
“The sport, the smell of it, the whole aura and atmosphere it creates is going to be difficult to let it go. But I do feel, whilst I’m older than these guys, I feel as young as them, at least, in spirit. I’m still very much a kid when I’m off the camera.
“That will probably change when I start seeing grey hairs and stuff but I’m good for now.”