Lewis Hamilton ready to stick with 'dream team' Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton has hailed Mercedes as his "dream team" as world champion made it clear he has plans to leave when his contract expires after 2020 season. British driver was linked with a move to Ferrari after six-time world title winner revealed in January he had yet to open talks over a new deal with Mercedes. Ferrari chief executive officer Louis Carey Camilleri said in December that he was "flattered" that Hamilton had agreed to discuss his future in conversations with team's chairman John Elkann.

Hamilton ready to stick with Mercedes

But 35-year-old appeared to end talk of a switch on Monday when he said his future remains with British-based Mercedes.

"re is dream of ar team. I am with my dream team," Hamilton said on Instagram.

"re's t a thing in my way, as I'm t trying to move. I'm with people who have cared from day one." 

Hamilton, who added that Mercedes were " best team", will have been aware that any opportunity to join Ferrari would be quashed if reports that Sebastian Vettel is moving towards a new contract are confirmed. Four-time world champion Vettel, like Hamilton, is out of contract at end of season, while German's team-mate Charles Leclerc has a contract with Italian team until end of 2024. Vettel last week said he had made it clear he wanted to stay at Ferrari beyond end of this season.

"Whatever deal will be like, it is whatever I and team will be comfortable with. In terms of duration, rmally contracts I had in past were all a three-year deal," Vettel said.

Hamilton's future is being debated while Formula One waits to start 2020 season, delayed by coronavirus. first nine races were postponed or cancelled because of pandemic.