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HOCKENHEIM, Germany (AFP) – Lewis Hamilton played on Thursday (July 19) when he declined an opportunity to deny that Ferrari were the only two-year-old Mercedes-Benz team.
The defending four-time world champion, who will be reportedly become Formula One's first £ 40 million (S $ 70 million) a year driver, which has also been awarded to him, but he gave them no encouragement. [19659002] Talking to reporters during a news conference ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix, in which he seeks to beat local hero Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and regain the leadership of this year's title race, Hamilton was full of praise for Mercedes and team chief Toto Wolff for their patience during seven months of prolonged negotiations
"In terms of other teams approaching me, I did not give it any air," said Hamilton, whose contract will be with Merc until the end of 2020, matching Vettel's commitment to Ferrari.
Asked if the other team was Ferrari, he said: "You can make whatever assumption you want." The 33-year-old Englishman's new deal makes him the highest-earning British sportsman.
Both Red Bull and McLaren intimated they had not been in contact with Hamilton, leaving Ferrari, a team he respects and admires, as the only remaining
Hamilton was more clear when he said he had not sought to be offered by rival teams, having made an early commitment to Mercedes and Wolff.
"Toto is a great human being and a great manager , "said Hamilton.
" We have had our ups and downs, but we have had a lot of strength. growth and I really appreciate Toto being so patient with me.
"Most people would not have been given the time-frame I thing to take, but the one thing that shows is the trust we have between each other.
I'm not looking anywhere else … I'm not talking to an yone else. I am not investigating to see what other options there are. I'm not playing you against anybody else.
"While I know you are driving you, I expect you to think about it, so we can take your time."
He explained that he had agreed a basic contract by the time of the Monaco Grand Prix in late May, but further delays were due to his own preoccupation with details.
"I just kept delaying it," he added. "I had a contract in place, I just did not feel like I had to rush." Eventually, we're going to get it quick. "
As to his future beyond 2020, when he could join Ferrari Vettel, who said he was "impossible to say where I am going to be".
"I was not expecting to feel as excited as I am now in signing this extension. I am also very conscious of how long it is beyond retirement. "
Like Vettel, he is bidding to become the third driver in F1 history to win five titles, joining seven-time champion Michael Schumacher and five-time champion Juan Manuel Fangio in that revered company.
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