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The world champion's new £27m deal with Mercedes has once again been delayed.

And Ecclestone says Hamilton would have no problem switching to Ferrari next season, even though their lead driver Sebastian Vettel would hate it.

Double champ Hamilton is in the final term of a three-year deal with the Silver Arrows, has been negotiating a new deal for months and has asked to speak to Ecclestone about his future.

In early April Hamilton said the contract was '99.6 per cent complete' and he was confident it would be signed before mid-April's Chinese Grand Prix.

But with speculation still strong that a move to Ferrari next season would make Hamilton arguably the most marketable sportsman in the world, Mercedes chief Niki Lauda has confirmed that the deal has moved no further forwards.

He said: "There is no hitch, there is a delay but I can't say any more."

It is the first time anyone from Mercedes has confirmed that there is any sort of official hold up to the deal being signed.

And, when asked what this meant for Hamilton's future with such obvious interest from Ferrari, Ecclestone said: "Lewis will be in the right place next season.

"He wouldn't have a problem with it [racing for Ferrari] but I don't think Sebastian Vettel would like it."

Hamilton's camp insist the situation is normal, with the driver himself saying it is pointless asking questions about it

He added: "You should really ask Toto (Wolff, Mercedes team principal). The contract is not far away. Niki has said perhaps before the next race (in Monaco on May 24). There's no questions of agreements. It's literally just formality stuff."

But despite Hamilton's smokescreen there is no smoke without fire.

And, asked if the lingering threat and lure of Ferrari worried him, Wolff said: "Lewis is a rockstar driver and every team would like him but I am OK.

"Lewis did the contract negotiations himself and it's the first time and we want him to be impatient because that makes him drive fast but then it needs to be done properly and it is being done properly."

Hamilton, who won three of the first four races was in a league of his own again in practice yesterday ahead of tomorrow's Spanish Grand Prix.

Although Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg was quickest in the morning session Hamilton dominated the afternoon and was 0.408 seconds up on Vettel, with Rosberg third.

Rosberg was a substantial 0.764secs off Hamilton's pace and 0.164secs ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat was fifth ahead of Toro Rosso's Max Verstappen and the improved McLaren of Brit Jenson Button.