Lewis Hamilton hopes the basis of a new contract at Mercedes can be agreed "soon" - but says they have no need to rush things along - as F1's new six-time world champion reiterated his desire to continue racing in the sport beyond 2020.
Hamilton is approaching the mid-point of the two-year extension he signed last year, which ties him to Mercedes until the end of next season.
While speculation routinely abounds about Ferrari, Hamilton has consistently expressed his loyalty to Mercedes, having been associated with the German manufacturer - first at McLaren and now at their own works team - since he was a teenager.
"I have obviously considered the next couple of years and naturally I know that I want to continue racing. I love what I'm doing and I see no reason for me to stop anytime soon," said Hamilton, who clinched his latest title in Mexico a fortnight ago.
"But in terms of the 'future future', no, I have not planned absolutely everything. Continuing to work on that. Your ideas shift each year, opinions slightly shift each year.
"It's crazy when you're in a contract: it's almost like 'I only just did this contract and I've already got to start talking about potentially the next one', which is frustrating because it's another stressful moment where you have to get into the room and kind of get into the ring and have a friendly yet intense conversation about terms and all these kind of things. But I'm used to it and like to think I'm a relatively good negotiator!"
Hamilton added: "It won't be really stressful to be honest, but it's daunting when you think of it coming up because also you're committing to a period of time of your life and it's sometimes hard to imagine that far ahead.
"Of course, it's nice to be wanted so hopefully soon we'll get that sorted."
Hamilton's two previous contract renewals with Mercedes, signed in 2015 and 2018 respectively, were considered a formality even though they were not formally agreed and announced until midway through the final year of his old deals.
Hamilton is approaching the mid-point of the two-year extension he signed last year, which ties him to Mercedes until the end of next season.
While speculation routinely abounds about Ferrari, Hamilton has consistently expressed his loyalty to Mercedes, having been associated with the German manufacturer - first at McLaren and now at their own works team - since he was a teenager.
"I have obviously considered the next couple of years and naturally I know that I want to continue racing. I love what I'm doing and I see no reason for me to stop anytime soon," said Hamilton, who clinched his latest title in Mexico a fortnight ago.
"But in terms of the 'future future', no, I have not planned absolutely everything. Continuing to work on that. Your ideas shift each year, opinions slightly shift each year.
"It's crazy when you're in a contract: it's almost like 'I only just did this contract and I've already got to start talking about potentially the next one', which is frustrating because it's another stressful moment where you have to get into the room and kind of get into the ring and have a friendly yet intense conversation about terms and all these kind of things. But I'm used to it and like to think I'm a relatively good negotiator!"
Hamilton added: "It won't be really stressful to be honest, but it's daunting when you think of it coming up because also you're committing to a period of time of your life and it's sometimes hard to imagine that far ahead.
"Of course, it's nice to be wanted so hopefully soon we'll get that sorted."
Hamilton's two previous contract renewals with Mercedes, signed in 2015 and 2018 respectively, were considered a formality even though they were not formally agreed and announced until midway through the final year of his old deals.
I though Arrivabene was bad but Binotto made him looks like Ross Brawn in comparison.