Lewis Hamilton has hit back at claims his salary demands are the reason contract talks between him and Mercedes have stalled.

Formula One’s world champion is out-of-contract at the end of the year and he’s been linked with a shock switch to Ferrari as he bids for a record-equalling seventh title.

A new deal with Mercedes could also be signed, however, and reports in Italy claim talks have opened between the Brit and CEO and team principal Toto Wolff over an extension.

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However, the same reports say these talks have stalled because Hamilton is demanding upwards of £46million-a-year to stay with the Brackley-based team.

But in a post to Instagram which he later deleted, Hamilton wrote: “FYI Toto and I have not even spoken about contract yet. Nothing is being negotiated currently, papers making up stories.”

Social Media / Lewis Hamilton

Both Ferrari and Red Bull have moved to tie Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen respectively to long-term deals during Formula One‘s off-season.

But Hamilton, who has spent much of the winter break in America, is unlikely to rush into a decision on his future.

Ferrari confirmed their interest in Hamilton last year, and are set to need a replacement for Sebastian Vettel in 2021 if the four-time world champion’s deal is not renewed.

Hamilton, 35, can match Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles if he wins the championship again this year.

The Englishman will get his first drive of the new Mercedes he hopes will fire him to further glory in the team’s behind-closed-doors launch at Silverstone on February 14.

The first pre-season test gets under way in Barcelona five days later before Hamilton opens his title defence in Melbourne on March 15.

Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport