Hamilton set for summer talks

Lewis Hamilton hopes that his future with McLaren can be sorted out during Formula One's summer break.

After the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July, Formula One takes a few weeks off to relax before returning to the track for the Belgian Grand Prix in September.

During these weeks off the 2008 Formula One World Champion hopes to sort out his current contract talks with McLaren.

The British driver is out-of-contract at the end of the 2012 season and has previously been linked with moves to Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.

But with Mark Webber committing to Red Bull following his win at the British Grand Prix and a move to either Ferrari or Mercedes unlikely, Hamilton hopes a swift conclusion to his contract negotiations can be found next month.

'We haven't sat down and discussed anything yet but I'm sure over the summer break, when we have the summer break, it would be nice to get something in place, That would be a time when we can be more relaxed and make the most sensible decision for the future.' he told Russian news agency R-Sport as quoted by Autosport Magazine.

'There are lots of things to take into account. These people have supported me; these are the people that got me into Formula 1. But, you know, I want to win.

'I'm not that young any more so I want to make sure that whatever I do I make the right decision so I can maximize my career, you know. I just need to make sure that I'm winning. That's what I exist for, that's what I train and work for every day.'

Both McLaren chairman Ron Dennis and team principal Martin Whitmarsh have remained hopeful that Lewis Hamilton would remain with the team beyond the end of the season.

It had been previously reported that McLaren were set to offer Lewis Hamilton a mega £20million per season contract to remain with the team, which would actually be an improvement on his current five-year £15million per season contract which expires at the end of the 2012 Formula One World Championship.

The Daily Telegraph believed the finer details of that offer were yet to be finalised and could prove to be a sticking point as there will be a lot of negotiations regarding Hamilton’s commercial rights.

Hamilton’s management company XIX Entertainment will argue for more free-time for Hamilton to be able promote his own brands and projects, while McLaren will argue that Hamilton has his own team sponsorship commitments to fulfil.

Another factor for Hamilton would be the emotional link he holds with the McLaren team.

Hamilton has of course grown up around the team since he was a 13-year-old and leaving the team and everything he has ever known would be tough.

He added: I've been with them since I was 13, so it's [been] 14 years, so it's much more than these small details [current form], it's a much, much bigger picture.'