World champion Lewis Hamilton has said that he is close to agreeing a new deal with Mercedes.
The talks have been ongoing since the end of last season and now look as though they are finally coming to an end.
"Hopefully we're in the final stages," the Briton told Sky Sports News.
"I don't really know what the timeline is. We're not rushing, but we're very much in the last stages of it."
"I don't think it makes a difference, not in terms of my preparations. It might for the team, although I don't think so. We're committed for this year anyway, contractually, so it would just be one less thing to think about."
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff denied that Hamilton had been offered a £1m-a-week contract last month.
