Hamilton, 38, has been locked in negotiatio🐟ns with Mercedes for months over an extension to his current contract, which expires at the end of the 2023 season. 

Both the seven-time world champion and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff have repeatedly insisted t💮hat a new deal will be signed, but the wait for official confirmation goes on.𒁃 

And 13-time grand prix victor Coulthard suspects the delay is coming from Hamiltonജ’s side amid the Briton’s quest to return to race and championship-winning contentio൩n. 

“♔We keep hearing it’s going to be sorted, but why isn’t it? It’s not like they need to get to kn🔥ow each other. They’ve won multiple world championships together,” Coulthard told C4. 

“So, I think it shows that he’s just not quite settled in his mind as to, the upgrades are coming, they’re♌ maybe making a little step forward, but they need to tak🌜e a leap forward to be able to challenge for victories.”

Ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silv♈erstone, Hamilton revealed he had agreed both the financial terms and length of his new contract, and expressed confidence that a deal would be finalised well before the end of theᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ year.

Hamilton also rejected suggestions that Mercedes’ inconsistent form and slow pr🌞ogress in catching Red Bull had raised doubts in his mind, saying: "That's not what I'm thinkiꦕng.

"Before the end of the 🔥season we'll be already well into the contract. I still have 100 per cent faith in this team.”

Hamilton went on to tell his home crowd tha�൲�t he could see himself racing in F1 for at least five more years. 

"I'mꦜ h🐽oping to be here a lot longer," Hamilton told Sky. "I feel like I've got another five years in me at least, no? Let's see.”

When asked about penning a new Mercedes🐬 deal, Hamilton replied: “🌠I don’t have the pen at the moment. But we are close.”