Hamilton hoping to sign new Mercedes F1 contract in the next month

Lewis Hamilton would like to have a new Formula 1 contract agreed with Mercedes before the start of the new season in Australia on March 25.

Four-time F1 world champion Hamilton enters the final year of his Mercedes contract in 2018, but has long-stressed his commitment to the team and desire to extend his stint at Brackley beyond the end of the season.

Both Hamilton and Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff said late last year that a new deal would be a formality, but no announcement has been made ahead of the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona on Monday.

Speaking at the launch of Mercedes' new W09 car on Thursday at Silverstone, Hamilton explained that while he is in no rush to strike a firm deal on the finer details of his new contract, he would like to have a fresh agreement signed by the start of the new season in Australia.

"Toto knows that I know there is no-one better, so he's not going to be looking anywhere else, and he knows that I know there is no-one else better, so I'm not going to be looking anywhere else. So we're comfortable and we're committed to each other - it's just about talking out the details," Hamilton said.

"Hopefully we'll have something done before the new season, before we start the first race. But again we're just in no rush, there's no reason to rush anything. There's no panic. I'm not feeling under any pressure.

"Toto and Mercedes have no reason to feel that I'm talking to anyone else. In the whole six years I've been here, I haven't spoken to another team once. I think that shows my commitment.

"I know that the team have been contacted by other drivers in the past and probably still do today. That's inevitable.

"But we always made it clear that if I was to engage and look at my options, I would inform them, and I've not needed to because I haven't."

Wolff echoed Hamilton's comments, saying he would like to have a new contract signed in the coming weeks, but was equally as relaxed about coming to a fresh agreement.

Asked when he wanted a deal to be agreed, Wolff said: "I think the sooner the better - but the minute you put the date out, you're going to be reminded about the date, and it doesn't make any sense to put ourselves under pressure.

"It's important to cover every angle of the cooperation, he's been with the team for six years so we're talking about extending that, a very long time with the same driver, in the same team.

"I guess a few of weeks would be a realistic target."