McLaren hopeful on Hamilton

McLaren Managing Director Jonathon Neale claims that Lewis Hamilton is close to agreeing a new contract with the team.

The British driver had been the subject of speculation linking him with a move away from the UK-based constructor, but most of that gossip has since given rise to rumours suggesting that the 27-year-old will put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at McLaren for the 2013 season at least.
And today, director Neale has added fuel to those rumours by confirming that negotiations between the team and the driver are at an advanced stage, and indicating that a contract could be signed, sealed and delivered ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix at the beginning of September.
"We are closer and of course we are in dialogue. For obvious reasons I can't speculate more at the moment. We are working very hard to find a common ground," said Neale, who added that he believes a deal for the driver is high on Hamilton's list of priorities.
2008 champion Hamilton is reasonably well-placed in the drivers' standings at what is an advanced stage of the 2012 season, though he requires a positive result in Belgium in just over two weeks time to stand a realistic chance of overhauling Fernando Alonso at the top of the Championship.