One of many largest storylines dealing with Method 1 proper now’s the continued contract saga between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.

The driving force’s two-year deal is ready to run out on the finish of the 2023 F1 season, and regardless of latest stories that an extension is shut, Hamilton has but to place pen to paper.

That has raised questions over whether or not the crew’s struggles lately to place Hamilton in a aggressive automobile will pose a roadblock to such a contract. However talking forward of the British Grand Prix, the seven-time Drivers’ Champion made it crystal clear that’s completely not the case.

And he additionally made it clear he has full religion within the crew.

“No, no, that’s not what I’m pondering,” stated Hamilton in response to a query over whether or not a scarcity of outcomes would scuttle a possible extension. “Earlier than the top of the season we will probably be already nicely into the contract. I nonetheless have 100% religion on this crew. And it has taken longer for all of us to get to the place we wish to be. And it’s undoubtedly not straightforward. However I consider that we are going to get there.”

Mercedes has introduced some upgrades to the monitor in latest weeks, shifting away from the “zero-pod” design they debuted for the 2022 season. That has led to some enhancements on the monitor — most notably a double-podium end on the Spanish Grand Prix — however the crew is coming off a weekend the place they notched only a single level within the F1 Dash race, after which a P7 and P8 within the Austrian Grand Prix.

Nonetheless, Hamilton believes the crew is shifting in the suitable course.

“I feel we’ve simply acquired to proceed to work and chip away at it. And that’s what we’re attempting to do. That’s why we’ve acquired the improve right here for the entrance wing, we could have bits over the next races, hopefully. It might come quickly sufficient,” added Hamilton. “However I’m pushing as exhausting as I can. I used to be having massive conferences with the crew earlier this week, chatting with the pinnacle of aero, to the pinnacle of car dynamics, attempting to… Additionally with what’s in thoughts for subsequent 12 months’s automobile.”

His contract with Mercedes was not the one information that Hamilton addressed on Thursday. The driving force additionally talked in regards to the upcoming Apple Authentic Movies’ F1 film, which Hamilton’s manufacturing firm Daybreak Apollo Movies is concerned with. The yet-to-be-titled film stars Brad Pitt as a veteran F1 driver, and Pitt is on web site at Silverstone this week taking pictures scenes.

As a part of the manufacturing, there are a pair of storage stalls on pit lane, and the film is utilizing an F2 automobile to shoot the racing scenes, full with its personal detailed paint scheme:

Hamilton talked in regards to the manufacturing as nicely on Thursday, and even shared his ideas on Pitt’s racing chops.

“There’s not way more I can say other than what I’ve already instructed earlier than. It was actually thrilling to see… I simply noticed Jerry [Bruckheimer] strolling in. I haven’t been to see the storage but. However I do know, on the opposite facet, I used to be right here every week or two earlier than Austria, watching Brad follow,” stated Hamilton on Thursday. “And it’s massively thrilling to see all of it coming collectively. And to know that we’re lastly beginning to movie this weekend, it’s like there’s nerves naturally, as a result of it’s one thing we’ve been engaged on for therefore lengthy. And we would like everybody to like it and to actually really feel that we encapsulate what the essence of this sport is all about. In order that’s our objective. I hope we will do you proud.”

Hamilton additionally outlined how F1’s new homeowners, Liberty Media, have made the manufacturing potential.

“Yeah, I’ve been actually extremely grateful to them. I don’t know if this is able to have been potential 10 plus years in the past, when the outdated administration was in place. They wouldn’t have maybe seen this as an vital step by way of the game’s progress. However we’ve already seen the good work and affect of the Netflix present and I feel it will take it to new heights past that,” added Hamilton. “So yeah, I feel there’s so many individuals world wide, as you’ve seen already, which are so enthusiastic about this sport, desirous to be taught extra. And the truth that we could have all the unique characters which are really on the grid, after which Brad, is fairly cool.”

As for Pitt’s racing chops, think about the seven-time champion impressed.

“I imply, he [Pitt] was simply coming by flat out. However we did do a day collectively at a monitor in LA. And yeah, he drove… For somebody that hasn’t raced, he’s undoubtedly already acquired a eager eye,” stated Hamilton in regards to the actor’s driving abilities. “He loves watching MotoGP, so he’s at all times been a racing fanatic. So he already had a knack for the strains. And he was undoubtedly totally on it, which is sweet to see.”

As for what to anticipate from Hamilton this weekend, the driving force will definitely have the group behind him.

“So pleased to be again. This Grand Prix is the most effective. Effectively, I keep in mind coming right here the primary time after I was quite a bit youthful, racing cadets. I feel it’s round just like the Brooklands space, that they had, like, straw bales. I keep in mind crashing. It wasn’t a very good race. However then, racing, coming right here for my first time in Method Renault,” added Hamilton. “And coming and watching the race, I feel, for the primary time – I will need to have been like 13, or 14 or one thing – with McLaren, and simply standing in the back of the storage, dreaming of sooner or later being within the automobile, after which stepping into method one and having the primary 12 months and it’s been phenomenal journey that I’ve had right here. I keep in mind the group the primary time, in 2007, after I acquired the pole. I feel that’s in all probability the one time I’ve ever heard the group over the sound of the automobile. In order that’s fairly particular.”

The British Grand Prix is ready for Sunday. Listed below are the main storylines dealing with F1 because the grid takes on Silverstone.