Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes will commit to staying in F1 beyond the 2020 season, when their current agreement with the sport’s commercial rights holders expires.

The world champion’s current contract with the team also ends after the 2020 F1 season . If Mercedes do not remain in the sport, he will have to look elsewhere for an F1 drive in 2021.

However Hamilton told media in Abu Dhabi he is “pretty sure Mercedes is here to stay” beyond 2020.

“The board members are here this weekend, so I’ll double check with them,” he said. “But they’re all hardcore races and [I’m] pretty sure that they want to stay. But things may have changed, as they can do so I’ll find out.”

Team principal Toto Wolff said he and Hamilton have “built up a lot of trust” since they arrived at Mercedes together in 2013, and will discuss Hamiton’s possible future plans over the winter.

“I’d also like to know where he goes, if he stays in the future and we are having those discussions about future life because it is very important between the two of us, like between many others that have played an important role within the team.

“So can I shed more light on that stage, no, at [this] stage I think [is] important to finish to finish the season in Abu Dhabi. As I said, there’s many things to be decided on. We’ll see over the winter.”

Ferrari could be a potential destination for Hamilton if Mercedes do not remain in the sport after 2020. Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said he is “an outstanding driver, a fantastic driver.”

“But honestly it’s too early for any decision,” he added. “We are happy with the drivers we’ve got at the moment. I think certainly at one stage next season we will start discussing and understanding what to do.”

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2021 F1 season