Lewis Hamilton not expecting to forge a close relationship with Mick Schumacher

Despite now being team-mates, Lewis Hamilton is not predicting much close work with Mick Schumacher after the German joined Mercedes.

Schumacher followed in his father’s footsteps as he joined the Silver Arrows ahead of the 2023 season but unlike Michael, Mick will be fulfilling the role of third driver for the team.

It means he joins forces with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton who is one of the few remaining current drivers to have raced against Michael Schumacher.

The Mercedes man described Mick Schumacher as “a great talent” and “an asset for Mercedes” but was not predicting they would work closely together.

“You don’t work that closely with the third driver anymore,” Hamilton told Sport Bild as per Sky Sports Germany. “It’s a lot of simulator work and not like it used to be, even though we’ll still be team-mates.”

Mercedes social media post suggests Lewis Hamilton contract extension is near

While Schumacher’s services have been acquired for the next year, Mercedes are now working on tying their seven-time World Champion down.

Hamilton’s current contract expires at the end of 2023 but there has been every indication that both parties intend for that to be extended.

Toto Wolff said in December that agreeing a new contract with Hamilton was part of his winter agenda but a social media post from the team may suggest an announcement is on its way.

On December 18, Mercedes posted a picture of Hamilton along with one of his quotes which hinted at him sticking around.

“My goal is to continue to be with Mercedes. I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13 and they really are my family,” the post said.

“They’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. And I want to be the best teammate I can be to them.”

“So far, there has been no time for this, we have been on the road for two months at a time. It will not be a very long time, but I will definitely stay,” he said. “Retiring as a World Champion, I think, is a dream that every athlete has – and so do I.”

With Christmas on the horizon, the announcement may not come in the next few days but do not be surprised if it arrives early in the new year.

Read more: Sebastian Vettel adds further weight to Mick Schumacher being in ‘bad environment’ at Haas