Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff was feeling hopeful yesterday of concluding contract negotiations with Lewis Hamilton before the start of the new Formula One season, but is refusing to impose any deadline.

Tentative talks between Hamilton and Wolff are under way months after the latter had initially targeted a resolution following Hamilton’s title triumph in the final grand prix of last year in Abu Dhabi in November.

Driver and team have so far made clear they have every intention of continuing to work together beyond the expiry of Hamilton’s current deal at the end of the upcoming campaign.

Ideally, Wolff would love for the discussions to be done and dusted ahead of the curtain-raising race in Australia on March 15 but is also aware there is no mad rush.

“It is always beneficial you have a clear situation, for the driver and ourselves,” he said.

“That is the best case, but you want to get it right as well, so it needs time.

“There is no reason for us to believe it is not going to go in the way we think is right, and Lewis thinks is right.

“Therefore we should aim to finish the discussions before the start of the season.”