Lewis Hamilton’s new contract has been delayed by “curveballs” being thrown at lawyers but will be finalised at “some point”, insists Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

Hamilton’s future has been a major talking point over the off-season, with the seven-time world champion yet to sign a new deal just two months before the start of 2021 Formula 1season.

The ongoing delay has caused a whirlwind of speculation that negotiations have stalled, although Wolff is remaining relaxed over the situation.

Hamilton has put the rumours aside by posting videos on his social media channels showing him training in preparation for his 15th season in F1.

But speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, Wolff said the fact he has been unable to meet with Hamilton face-to-face has slowed down the contract process.

“The lawyers are working hard,” Wolff said. “We don’t make life easy for them, of course, when we both argue over Zoom and keep sending curveballs to the lawyers. But he’s in America now and I’m here. At some point we will finalise it.”

Wolff believes a deal should be agreed in the lead up the season opener in Bahrain on March 28 at the latest, confident nothing will get in the way of a contract being signed.

“It’s how it is with negotiations,” Wolff added. “You always come from different corners, but that’s quite normal.

“We have a really solid basis in our relationship. We have celebrated great successes together and want to continue doing so in the future.

“But sometimes you have to talk things out in detail, and that took or still takes us some time. But before Bahrain at the latest, you have to sign something at some point.”

There was suggestions Mercedes junior George Russell’s performance in place of Hamilton at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix could be used as a negotiating tactic against the Briton, but Wolff denied this is the case.

“We never played the George Russell card,” he said. “He did incredibly well and will one day be in a top car, but our long-standing partnership is not at all about making any threatening gestures.

“We know we want to race together. And now we have to negotiate the contract.”