Lauda says Hamilton deal will be fixed by Spanish GP

Yet another deadline is now looming over the finalisation of Lewis Hamilton's 2016 contract -- Barcelona. "Everything will be fixed by the Spanish grand prix on May 10," Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick.

Hamilton's new deal has been delayed and discussed publicly for so long that many have linked him with a move to Ferrari. Also rumoured is that Hamilton wants clear number 1 status, and that Mercedes is not agreeing to his wage demands. "The salary is not the problem," Lauda insisted. And fellow Mercedes chief Toto Wolff as well as Hamilton himself and teammate Nico Rosberg have all denied the 'number 1' speculation.

Bernie Ecclestone had even said ahead of last weekend's Bahrain grand prix that Hamilton would make a good teammate for Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in 2016. "That's a little difficult," the F1 supremo is now quoted by Speed Week, "when he has extended at Mercedes, don't you think?" But the fact remains that Mercedes has not announced a done deal.

Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene appears to be enjoying the Hamilton rumours, as he says every driver wants a red cockpit, while Kimi Raikkonen performs best when under pressure. It might be argued that Vettel would prefer his friend Raikkonen to stay. Asked if he has a say in whether it will be Raikkonen or Hamilton at Ferrari next year, Vettel is quoted by f1-insider.com: "That's not true." (GMM)

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,533
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 232
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
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