Hamilton expects to sign new deal with Mercedes: 'We're almost there'

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton expects to remain with Mercedes long term despite reports linking him to Ferrari when his current contract ends after the season.

"My team are having discussions with the team in the background," Hamilton said, according to The Athletic's Luke Smith. "We're almost there."

Reports surfaced earlier this week that Ferrari was preparing to offer Hamilton a contract worth nearly $50 million per season to join the Italian team in time for the 2024 campaign.

Hamilton dumped cold water on the possibility of joining Ferrari and denied that there had been contact between the two sides.

"Naturally, when you're in the contract negotiations, there's always going to be speculation," Hamilton said. "I think ultimately, unless you hear from me, then that's what it is."

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur also denied any conversations between the team and Hamilton.

"At this stage of the season, you will have each week a different story (about the drivers)," Vasseur said. "We are not sending an offer to Lewis Hamilton. We didn't do it. We didn't have discussions."

Hamilton enters this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix looking for his first victory since the 2021 season. The 38-year-old currently sits fourth in the drivers' standings, trailing Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso by 19 points for third place.