Lewis Hamilton "hinted he is just days away from completing the richest British driver deal in Formula One history -- and one of the biggest in the history of the sport," according to Byron Young of the London DAILY MIRROR.
Speaking in Kuala Lumpur the world champion said that "he was hopeful of signing on the dotted line before Sunday’s Malaysia race."
The 30-year-old is thought to be negotiating a three-year agreement amounting to close to £90M ($134M).
It "dwarves the deals done in past decades by Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, James Hunt and even the legendary Sir Jackie Stewart."
Only Sebastian Vettel, lured from Red Bull last year by a £35M ($52M) Ferrari mega deal, "is thought to be on more." Hamilton: "It is going back between the lawyers so hopefully it is done before the weekend. That would be great, but if not in due time."
Mercedes is thought to have "wanted to sign the Englishman on a five-year deal." It is thought to "have been broken down into a two plus one deal with a get out on both sides after the second season" (DAILY MIRROR, 3/25).
