Hamilton: 'I know who is trying to take my seat'

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Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he is always kept informed by Toto Wolff of who comes knocking on Mercedes' door.

Hamilton is contracted to the German squad for one more year but said yesterday in Monza that an extension of his deal with Mercedes would likely be discussed and agreed to by the end of the season.

Interestingly, the three-time world champion said that he always kept abreast of the latest contacts initiated by drivers or managers vying for a seat with the team.

"I'm made aware of who contacts the team, and that's down to a great relationship that I have with Toto," Hamilton said on Thursday.

"So he's very open with me about who calls. It's kind of interesting sometimes to hear who calls, and who's tried either to take my seat or take the seat next door to me.

"And then to see following those calls, the manoeuvres that happen, such as for example Sebastian signing. I don't know if everyone expected him to sign a three-year deal.

"It doesn't really change much to me, because I planned to extend with the team, which we will do at some point in the second half of the season, or towards the end of the year.

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"I know Toto has said that we'll wait until the end of the season, because generally that's what I like to do, there's no rush.

"I still have another year, so we have a lot of time. I think last contract went all the way into the mid-part of the season."

Hamilton insisted he had no contact was any other team, and if he had he would have informed Wolff.

"There's no rush, and I know the team is fully committed to me, and I've never picked up the phone and spoken to any of those other teams. So I made that very clear to the guys.

"I'm not trying to weigh up my options, and if I was I'd call Toto and say I'm going to due diligence and see what options there are for me. Currently I have no plans to do that.

"It's good for Sebastian that he's signed there. I think all things happen for a reason, and in the kind of plan that I have coming up, my five years, whatever it is, six years that I have left in the sport, that piece of the puzzle is now in place, so it makes my decision moving forward a lot easier."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.