Lewis Hamilton’s reward for a fourth Formula One world championship will be the biggest contract in the history of British sport.

The man who grew up in a council flat in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, is set to negotiate a new deal with Mercedes that some believe could net him as much as £40 million a year. The contract is likely to be for three seasons and at £120m overall would outstrip his three-year £100m contract, which runs until the end of 2018.

Executives at the Mercedes headquarters in Stuttgart are prepared to break the bank because they believe Britain’s most successful Formula One driver is now one of the biggest box-office stars in the world.

As if proof were needed, plaudits rained in from celebrity friends and sporting greats last night after Hamilton clinched his fourth title in Mexico City with two races remaining.

Neymar, the Paris Saint Germain striker and the world’s most expensive footballer, called over the team radio to say: “I’m happy for you bro’ for four championships. Winner!”

Gary Lineker wrote on Twitter: “Congratulations to @LewisHamilton on becoming World Champion once again. Unquestionably one of Britain’s greatest ever sportsmen.”

In Pictures | Lewis Hamilton 53 show all In Pictures | Lewis Hamilton 1/53 Formula One World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton celebrates after the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas Getty Images 2/53 A young and more recent Lewis Hamilton Rex Features/Getty Images 3/53 Prince Charles talks to 14 year old go-kart driver Lewis Hamilton who is sponsored by Mclaren's driver support programme in 1999 Reuters 4/53 Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and model Gigi Hadid attend the TommyLand Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2017 Fashion Show Getty Images 5/53 2018 F1 World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his team after the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 28, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico Getty Images 6/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his mother Carmen Larbalestier after winning his fourth F1 World Drivers Championship after the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico Getty Images 7/53 Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium during the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on 22 October 2017 in Austin, Texas Getty Images 8/53 Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with sprinting legend Usain Bolt during the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on 22 October 2017 in Austin, Texas Getty Images 9/53 Lewis Hamilton signs autographs for fans during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on 5 October 2017 in Suzuka Getty Images 10/53 Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO8 during final practice for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on 21 October 2017 in Austin, Texas Getty Images 11/53 Lewsi Hamilton at Missoni show, Spring Summer 2018, Milan Fashion Week on 23 September 2017 Rex Features 12/53 Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton throws his winner's trophy as second placed Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (left) and Red Bull's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (right) look on from the podium in the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on 08 October 2017 AFP/Getty Images 13/53 Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton returns to the pit during the third practice session of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on 7 October 2017 AFP/Getty Images 14/53 Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium during the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on 8 October 2017 in Suzuka Getty Images 15/53 Lewis Hamilton poses for a photo with young fans at the circuit during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on 5 October 2017 in Suzuka Getty Images 16/53 Poppy Delevingne, Lara Stone, Neymar and Lewis Hamilton attend the Tommy Hilfiger TOMMYNOW Fall 2017 Show during London Fashion Week at The Roundhouse on 18 September 2017 in London Dave Benett 17/53 Lewis Hamilton and Rita Ora attend the LOVE magazine x Miu Miu party, held during London Fashion Week, in association with Absolut Elyx & Perrier Jouet at Loulou's on 18 September 12017 in London Dave Benett 18/53 Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates with second placed Sebastian Vettel on the podium during the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on 27 August 2017 in Spa, Belgium Getty Images 19/53 Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO8 takes the chequered flag and the win during the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on 16 July 2017 in Northampton Getty Images 20/53 Winner Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton is celebrated by fans after the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England on 16 July 2017 AFP/Getty Images 21/53 This year's Formula One championship came alive in Azerbaijan after Sebastian Vettel was accused of deliberately ramming into title rival Lewis Hamilton 22/53 Chloe Green , Lewis Hamilton, Tina Green and Sir Philip Green attend the Fashion for Relief event during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Aeroport Cannes Mandelieu on 21 May 2017 Getty Images 23/53 Race winner Valtteri Bottas celebrates his win with Lewis Hamilton and the rest of the Mercedes GP team during the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia on 30 April 2017 in Sochi, Russi Getty Images 24/53 Lewis Hamilton drives during the launch of the Mercedes formula one team's 2017 car, the W08, at Silverstone Circuit on 23 February 2017 in Northampton Getty Images 25/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP, Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff and Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP pose during the launch of the Mercedes formula one team's 2017 car, the W08, at Silverstone Circuit 23 on February 2017 in Northampton Getty Images 26/53 Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in a press conference during the preview day at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi on 24 November 2016 PA 27/53 Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO7 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo leads Nico Rosberg of Germany driving the (6) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO7 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB12 TAG Heuer on track during the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on 13 November 2016 in Sao Paulo Getty Images 28/53 Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 13 November 2016 AP 29/53 Racing driver ewis Hamilton attends Heidi Klum's 17th Annual Halloween Party sponsored by SVEDKA Vodka at Vandal on 31 October 2016 in New York City Getty Images 30/53 Hamilton, reacts after winning the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix on 30 October 2016 AFP/Getty Images 31/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO7 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo on track during practice for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on 21 October 2016 in Austin, United States Getty Images 32/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO7 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo retires from the grand prix during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit on October 2, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Getty Images 33/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates his win by crowdsurfing with the fans during the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on 10 July 2016 in Northampton, England Getty Images 34/53 Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates in the parc ferme at the Monaco street circuit, on May 29, 2016 in Monaco AFP/Getty Images 35/53 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP poses with the Drivers' Championship trophy during the 2015 FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony at the Lido Theatre on 04 December 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images 36/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with the team in the pit lane after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix and the championship at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2015 in Austin, United States Getty Images 37/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after winning the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on 11 October 2015 in Sochi, Russia Getty Images 38/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with the fans after winning the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 5, 2015 in Northampton, England Getty Images 39/53 Lewis Hamilton and his dog Roscoe attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at The Hydro on December 14, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland Getty Images 40/53 Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger attend the British Fashion Awards at London Coliseum on December 1, 2014 in London Getty Images 41/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates in the car after winning the World Championship and the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2014 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate Getty Images 42/53 ewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his stepmother Linda Hamilton and girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger after winning the World Championship after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2014 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Getty Images 43/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his team after winning the World Championship after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on 23 November 2014 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Getty Images 44/53 Debris flies in the air as Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP makes contact with Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP during the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on 24 August 2014 in Spa, Belgium Getty Images 45/53 Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2014, Lewis Hamilton, with second placed Rory McIlroy (right) during the 2014 Sports Personality of the Year Awards at the SSE Hydro, Glasgow PA 46/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP poses for a photograph during day one of Formula One Winter Testing at the Bahrain International Circuit on 27 February 2014 in Bahrain Getty Images 47/53 Lewis Hamilton (R) of Great Britain and McLaren talks with Michael Schumacher (L) of Germany and Mercedes GP at the drivers press conference during previews to the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit on May 23, 2012 in Monte Carlo, Monaco Getty Images 48/53 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton with the MBE he received from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London in 2009 PA 49/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes pictured with his father Anthony Hamilton after the 2007 Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australi Getty Images 50/53 New Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes (2nd left) celebrates with his half-brother Nick Hamilton (L), his father Anthony Hamilton (C), his stepmother Linda Hamilton (2nd right) and his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger (R) in his team garage following the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit on November 2, 2008 in Sao Paulo, Brazi Getty Images 51/53 Formula One rookie Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain talks with former champion Jackie Stewart outside his McLaren Mercedes team garage during the first practice session for the 2007 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia AP 52/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain poses beside the McClaren MP421 car as he prepares to drive it for the first time, during Formula one testing at Silverstone Circuit in 2006 Getty Images 53/53 British kart racer Lewis Hamilton is shown during the qualification race of the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship in Kerpen, western Germany in 2001 AP 1/53 Formula One World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton celebrates after the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas Getty Images 2/53 A young and more recent Lewis Hamilton Rex Features/Getty Images 3/53 Prince Charles talks to 14 year old go-kart driver Lewis Hamilton who is sponsored by Mclaren's driver support programme in 1999 Reuters 4/53 Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and model Gigi Hadid attend the TommyLand Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2017 Fashion Show Getty Images 5/53 2018 F1 World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his team after the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 28, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico Getty Images 6/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his mother Carmen Larbalestier after winning his fourth F1 World Drivers Championship after the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico Getty Images 7/53 Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium during the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on 22 October 2017 in Austin, Texas Getty Images 8/53 Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with sprinting legend Usain Bolt during the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on 22 October 2017 in Austin, Texas Getty Images 9/53 Lewis Hamilton signs autographs for fans during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on 5 October 2017 in Suzuka Getty Images 10/53 Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO8 during final practice for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on 21 October 2017 in Austin, Texas Getty Images 11/53 Lewsi Hamilton at Missoni show, Spring Summer 2018, Milan Fashion Week on 23 September 2017 Rex Features 12/53 Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton throws his winner's trophy as second placed Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (left) and Red Bull's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (right) look on from the podium in the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on 08 October 2017 AFP/Getty Images 13/53 Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton returns to the pit during the third practice session of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on 7 October 2017 AFP/Getty Images 14/53 Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium during the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on 8 October 2017 in Suzuka Getty Images 15/53 Lewis Hamilton poses for a photo with young fans at the circuit during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on 5 October 2017 in Suzuka Getty Images 16/53 Poppy Delevingne, Lara Stone, Neymar and Lewis Hamilton attend the Tommy Hilfiger TOMMYNOW Fall 2017 Show during London Fashion Week at The Roundhouse on 18 September 2017 in London Dave Benett 17/53 Lewis Hamilton and Rita Ora attend the LOVE magazine x Miu Miu party, held during London Fashion Week, in association with Absolut Elyx & Perrier Jouet at Loulou's on 18 September 12017 in London Dave Benett 18/53 Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates with second placed Sebastian Vettel on the podium during the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on 27 August 2017 in Spa, Belgium Getty Images 19/53 Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO8 takes the chequered flag and the win during the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on 16 July 2017 in Northampton Getty Images 20/53 Winner Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton is celebrated by fans after the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England on 16 July 2017 AFP/Getty Images 21/53 This year's Formula One championship came alive in Azerbaijan after Sebastian Vettel was accused of deliberately ramming into title rival Lewis Hamilton 22/53 Chloe Green , Lewis Hamilton, Tina Green and Sir Philip Green attend the Fashion for Relief event during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Aeroport Cannes Mandelieu on 21 May 2017 Getty Images 23/53 Race winner Valtteri Bottas celebrates his win with Lewis Hamilton and the rest of the Mercedes GP team during the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia on 30 April 2017 in Sochi, Russi Getty Images 24/53 Lewis Hamilton drives during the launch of the Mercedes formula one team's 2017 car, the W08, at Silverstone Circuit on 23 February 2017 in Northampton Getty Images 25/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP, Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff and Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP pose during the launch of the Mercedes formula one team's 2017 car, the W08, at Silverstone Circuit 23 on February 2017 in Northampton Getty Images 26/53 Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in a press conference during the preview day at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi on 24 November 2016 PA 27/53 Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO7 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo leads Nico Rosberg of Germany driving the (6) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO7 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB12 TAG Heuer on track during the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on 13 November 2016 in Sao Paulo Getty Images 28/53 Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 13 November 2016 AP 29/53 Racing driver ewis Hamilton attends Heidi Klum's 17th Annual Halloween Party sponsored by SVEDKA Vodka at Vandal on 31 October 2016 in New York City Getty Images 30/53 Hamilton, reacts after winning the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix on 30 October 2016 AFP/Getty Images 31/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO7 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo on track during practice for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on 21 October 2016 in Austin, United States Getty Images 32/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO7 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo retires from the grand prix during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit on October 2, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Getty Images 33/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates his win by crowdsurfing with the fans during the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on 10 July 2016 in Northampton, England Getty Images 34/53 Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates in the parc ferme at the Monaco street circuit, on May 29, 2016 in Monaco AFP/Getty Images 35/53 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP poses with the Drivers' Championship trophy during the 2015 FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony at the Lido Theatre on 04 December 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images 36/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with the team in the pit lane after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix and the championship at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2015 in Austin, United States Getty Images 37/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after winning the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on 11 October 2015 in Sochi, Russia Getty Images 38/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with the fans after winning the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 5, 2015 in Northampton, England Getty Images 39/53 Lewis Hamilton and his dog Roscoe attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at The Hydro on December 14, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland Getty Images 40/53 Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger attend the British Fashion Awards at London Coliseum on December 1, 2014 in London Getty Images 41/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates in the car after winning the World Championship and the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2014 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate Getty Images 42/53 ewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his stepmother Linda Hamilton and girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger after winning the World Championship after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2014 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Getty Images 43/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his team after winning the World Championship after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on 23 November 2014 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Getty Images 44/53 Debris flies in the air as Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP makes contact with Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP during the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on 24 August 2014 in Spa, Belgium Getty Images 45/53 Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2014, Lewis Hamilton, with second placed Rory McIlroy (right) during the 2014 Sports Personality of the Year Awards at the SSE Hydro, Glasgow PA 46/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP poses for a photograph during day one of Formula One Winter Testing at the Bahrain International Circuit on 27 February 2014 in Bahrain Getty Images 47/53 Lewis Hamilton (R) of Great Britain and McLaren talks with Michael Schumacher (L) of Germany and Mercedes GP at the drivers press conference during previews to the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit on May 23, 2012 in Monte Carlo, Monaco Getty Images 48/53 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton with the MBE he received from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London in 2009 PA 49/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes pictured with his father Anthony Hamilton after the 2007 Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australi Getty Images 50/53 New Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes (2nd left) celebrates with his half-brother Nick Hamilton (L), his father Anthony Hamilton (C), his stepmother Linda Hamilton (2nd right) and his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger (R) in his team garage following the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit on November 2, 2008 in Sao Paulo, Brazi Getty Images 51/53 Formula One rookie Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain talks with former champion Jackie Stewart outside his McLaren Mercedes team garage during the first practice session for the 2007 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia AP 52/53 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain poses beside the McClaren MP421 car as he prepares to drive it for the first time, during Formula one testing at Silverstone Circuit in 2006 Getty Images 53/53 British kart racer Lewis Hamilton is shown during the qualification race of the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship in Kerpen, western Germany in 2001 AP

Hamilton and his friends and family headed to Miami on a private jet to celebrate his success. In videos on his latest Instagram Story, Hamilton and his group were seen partying in the Liv Miami nightclub.

At 32, Hamilton is at his peak with the prospect of more victories and titles ahead. He did not want the distraction of contract talks until the championship was clinched and he will now sit down with Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes Motorsport, to negotiate extending his deal beyond the end of next season.

A three-year contract, starting in 2019, would take Hamilton to the age of 36 and possible retirement with a record haul of wins. Mercedes are anxious to retain Hamilton particularly as the other leading drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, are tied to their teams until 2020.

The irony is Hamilton chose his worst finish of the season to become champion, finishing ninth at the Mexican Grand Prix after a first lap tangle with Vettel, his rival for the title. Hamilton had sneaked past Vettel as the Ferrari man battled with Red Bull’s Verstappen for the lead in the first few corners.

Read more Hamilton wins fourth F1 title despite Mexican GP crash

Vettel needed the win — second place at worst – to have any hopes of wresting the championship from Hamilton, who carried a 66-point lead into the race. But his hopes were shattered along with Hamilton’s rear tyre as they collided within seconds of the start. Hamilton limped to the pits to replace his burst tyre, while Vettel took on a new nosecone.

From then on, it was losing battle through the field, while Verstappen’s dominant victory almost became a sideshow to the main event. Vettel drove admirably to finish fifth — but that was not enough to take the championship to the finale in Abu Dhabi next month and prevent Hamilton’s coronation.