Rumor: Hamilton’s salary demand rejected by Mercedes

What is taking Mercedes so long to sign Lewis Hamilton?

It was revealed by Sportsmail, the deal has hit an unexpected impasse.

At 38, Lewis Hamilton is the second-oldest driver on the grid (behind only Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso). Although he’s maintaining peak driving performance and showing no signs of slowing down in his hunt for a record-breaking eighth world title, it’s reported that the British champ is seeking further assurances about his long-term future within the sport.

Hamilton is rumored to want a 10-year £200 million ambassadorial deal. It is rumored that Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius said go pound sand.

Mercedes are understood to be willing to offer the former champion a one-year contract with the option for a second year.

The 38-year-old seven-time champion’s Mercedes contract expires at the end of the year, and sources say he and his team have widely contrasting views about what happens next.

Negotiations have continued for seven months, despite team boss Toto Wolff suggesting in January that an extension would be a formality, and then a few weeks ago that it could be done in days.