Toto Wolff has confirmed Formula One favourite Lewis Hamilton is just "days" away from signing a new contract with Mercedes.
Hamilton's existing deal expires at the end of the 2023 campaign, fuelling speculation about his future. The 38-year-old Brit has no interest in retiring just yet and wants to win a record eighth world title to eclipse the great Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton has previously been tipped to complete a dream move to Ferrari but is now set to commit his future to Mercedes. The team's principal Wolff will need to give the iconic driver a car capable of ending Max Verstappen's dominance in F1.
Wolff was asked for an update on Hamilton's future ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Hamilton is aiming to end his long wait for a victory in F1, with his last victory coming at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in December 2021.
Wolff told Sky Sports: "When we're still talking, we get this question basically every race weekend. We've such a good relationship [Wolff and Hamilton] that we dread the moment we need to talk about money! So, it's going to happen soon."
Wolff was then asked for a timeframe. He said: "Soon, I think we're talking more days than weeks. He's the most important personality in the sport. He's so multifaceted, not only the racing but also off-track. We need to keep in the sport for as long as possible."
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Hamilton has not received an offer from Ferrari. He said in May: "This is the first time I have not been negotiating myself and I have a great team in the background doing all the work and I can focus on the job. I say what I want and that's what we're working towards."
Hamilton added: "When you are in contract negations, there is always going to be speculation and unless you hear it from me, that's what it is... My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto and we are almost at the point of having a contract ready."
Ferrari's team principal Frederic Vasseur has also played down rumours. He said in May: "You know perfectly that at this stage of the season each week you will have a different story and we are not sending an offer to Lewis Hamilton. We didn't do it.
"We didn't have discussions. I think every single team on the grid would like to have Hamilton at one stage - it would be rubbish to not say something like this."
Mercedes enjoyed an improved performance last time out in Spain, with Hamilton finishing second and team-mate George Russell joining him on the podium. Yet the race was won by runaway title leader Max Verstappen, who boasts a 53-point lead at the top.
There is still enough time for Hamilton's Mercedes to catch Verstappen's Red Bull in this season's Drivers Championship, but the Brit needs to win sooner rather than later. A victory at this weekend's Montreal Grand Prix would be a huge boost for Mercedes.
