Lewis Hamilton says a Mercedes engine deal would be ‘fantastic’ for McLaren.

The Briton’s present and former teams are in discussions over a potential tie-up for next season.

McLaren’s patience with current suppliers Honda is fast running out with the team languishing bottom of the constructors’ standings.

Lewis Hamilton would be happy for his Mercedes team to supply McLaren with engines in 2018

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff refused to be drawn on the rumours earlier this week, but Hamilton is hoping an agreement can be reached.

‘It would be great for McLaren, great for the sport and it will be fantastic if it happens,’ he said ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

‘They have had a disaster over the past few years and it does not look like it will change any time soon.

Hamilton, who won McLaren’s last world title in 2008, added: ‘I hope and pray that next year is going to be close like this one is with us and Ferrari.

Hamilton won his first world championship in 2008 using a McLaren Mercedes combo

‘If another team joins that battle it will be even sweeter and it will be great if Fernando [Alonso] is up there racing with us.

F1 CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS TEAM WINS POINTS 1. Mercedes 4 222 2. Ferrari 3 214 3. Red Bull 0 112 4. Force India 0 71 5. Toro Rosso 0 29 6. Williams 0 22 7. Renault 0 18 8. Haas 0 15 9. Sauber 0 4 10. McLaren 0 0

‘I hope McLaren get our engine or even Ferrari’s next year so they can be up there with the top teams.’

Asked if he would prefer a Mercedes or Ferrari engine for 2018, Alonso replied: ‘I prefer the winning cars so whatever engine they have.’

The Spaniard has finished just one of his six races this term and is anticipating another miserable weekend in Baku.

He is likely to start last following a series of engine penalties and expects to lose plenty of time on the Baku City Circuit’s 1.4-mile main straight – the longest on the calendar.

‘The deficit here will be three seconds on the straight so we expect a very tough weekend,’ said Alonso. ‘It’s the way it is and nothing in our control.