Lewis Hamilton confirmed that he has begun contract talks with Mercedes ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring this weekend.
The seven-time world champion signed a one-year deal with Mercedes ahead of the 2021 campaign, but has indicated throughout this season that he intends to continue racing into 2022.
Hamilton is currently second in the drivers' championship, 12 points adrift of Max Verstappen, with both having claimed three wins apiece.
Speaking ahead of a critical weekend for him and the team at a track where Red Bull have traditionally succeeded, the 36-year-old was not giving much away but confirmed negotiations had started.
“We have begun discussions,” he said. “Not a lot to say too much but we have started discussions and things are positive.”
Valtteri Bottas has partnered Hamilton at Mercedes since the 2017 season, replacing Nico Rosberg who retired from Formula 1 after winning the 2016 drivers' championship.
Asked whether he would like the Finn to stay on as his teammate, amid rumours that Mercedes junior driver George Russell is being lined up, Hamilton added: “Valtteri is my team now and we’ve both of us had our ups and downs in our careers.
"But as I said, I think he is a fantastic team mate and I don’t necessarily see that it needs to change.
"We have worked well for many years. Valtteri has been my best team-mate overall and when I say team-mate it's not just driver performance, it's about team morale and how you work in the teammate environment."
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