Lewis Hamilton has been linked to a switch to Mercedes’ Formula 1 team for 2013.
The 2008 world champion has been thrown a wave of speculation by former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan, who is the BBC’s F1 chief analyst.
Jordan says that Hamilton will replace current Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher, who the former team owner believes will retire from F1 for a second time at the end of this year.
“I believe Hamilton and Mercedes have already agreed personal terms and a deal could be imminent,” Jordan said.
“Negotiations between Lewis Hamilton and McLaren continue. It would appear Michael [Schumacher] is leaving and Lewis is arriving at Mercedes.”
In counter-statements, Mercedes said they would not comment of pure speculation.
“Until we are in a position to confirm our full driver line-up for next season, it is inevitable that there will be speculation around this topic,” the statement read.
McLaren insisted that contract talks are ongoing between the pair.
“We have been told by Lewis Hamilton’s management team that the story is untrue,” the McLaren statement said.
“Negotiations between Lewis Hamilton and McLaren continue.”
It is believed that the Hamilton/McLaren negotiations have stalled due to Hamilton’s requested renumeration for his services.
Further speculation has pointed towards Force India driver Paul di Resta replacing Hamilton, if the Brit was to leave McLaren.
Hamilton currently sits fifth in the F1 world championship, 57 points adrift of Ferrari’s title leader Fernando Alonso.
Formula 1 returns to the track this weekend for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
