McLaren in no rush to extend Hamilton contract

Lewis Hamilton's future at McLaren is only secure for one more season.

Once the 2012 Formula One season ends this time next year, the 2008 Formula One World Champion will be free to drive for any team on the grid.

Hamilton has grown up around the McLaren team and has always stated that he has no intentions of racing anywhere but McLaren, however there has been speculation that he held secret talks with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner at the Canadian Grand Prix.

But while many whispers in the paddock and via the media might suggest that it is Hamilton waiting to see how competitive McLaren would be in future seasons, it would appear that it is in fact McLaren who are holding off talks.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh told Autosport Magazine: 'Lewis and ourselves are in a really good place, and he is in a good place. He loves the team, we know him well, so we are not putting any timeframe on it.

'We will see what happens in the course of the next year. There is plenty of time.'

This would seem to be a different strategy from McLaren as team-mate Jenson Button was snapped up on a multi-year contract as soon as speculation linked him with a possible move to Ferrari.

That said, Hamilton remained confident that a new deal would be concluded eventually.

'I don't think there's any question of my commitment to the team, I just want to continue on this path.' Hamilton told the BBC after Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

'Martin [Whitmarsh] has already spoken to me about re-signing, so I know it's there at some point, and I guess at some stage when we have time we'll sit down.

'There's no real rush to have to do anything. The most important thing is to focus on the season ahead.'

Hamilton struggled in 2011, finishing fifth in the championship behind team-mate Jenson Button.