The Briton only signed a one-year extension to remain with♕ Mercedes until the end of the 2021 season, but he is widely expected to continue in F1 for at🌼 least one more year.

Last month, Hamilton outlined his desire to seal a new contract with Mercedes before the🅰 summer break in August as both parties look to avoid a repeat of the prolonged negotiations that spilled over into this year.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix, Hamilton🧔 confirmed that discussions over a renewed deal have started and have so far been “positive꧋”.

“We have begun discussions,” Hamilton said. “Not a lot to say, [not] too much ✃on it, we have had discussions and things are po🌸sitive.”

Speculaꦜtion over who will partner Hamilton at Mercedes next season remains rife, with Valtteri Bottas ♊facing an uncertain future after a disappointing start to 2021.

The Finn is out of contract at the end of the year and Mercedes is currently weighing up whether to retain🐈 Bottas or rep🐓lace him with its protege and current Williams driver George Russell.

Hamilton was complimentary about Bottas when he faced the media at the Red Bull Ring on Thursday,🌳 saying: “I think Valtteri has been the best teammate overall, and when I say teammate it is not just about drive performance.

“It☂ is about team morale, how you work in a🅰 team mate environment, and we’ll continue to improve on our communication and hopefully do better moving forwards.”

A🌞sked 🐎specifically if he would like to see Bottas stay, Hamilton replied: “Valtteri is my team mate now and both of us have had ups and downs in our careers.

“But like I said, he’s a fantastic team-mate and I don’t necessarily se🔥e that it needs to change.”