Lewis Hamilton is still yet to sign a new contract with Mercedes just under two months before the new Formula One season gets underway.
Reports suggest Hamilton, who equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven F1 world titles last season, is struggling to reach an agreement with Toto Wolff and co over both his salary and the length of his deal.
Nevertheless, on Friday he took some time out from contract negotiations to go jewellery shopping in Los Angeles.
The British superstar was seen arriving at Beverly Hills’ XIV Karats Ltd in a luxurious £140,000 2000 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
According to the Daily Mail, he spent more than three hours in the jewellery store, which is just a stone’s throw away from the famous Rodeo Drive.
Formular 1 super star steps out for shopping amidst contract delay
Hamilton was sporting a casual white tracksuit, gold chains and shades as he stepped out into the California sunshine, as well as a matching white Covid-19 face mask.
His spending spree in the jewellery store comes amid concerns over his Mercedes future, with the 2021 F1 season due to begin in Bahrain on March 28.
The 36-year-old’s previous contract expired at the turn of the year, but team principal Wolff has been unable to tie his star man down to an extension over the past month.
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Former F1 chief Eddie Jordan has urged Mercedes to get Hamilton’s deal over the line, insisting they would be “deluded” to think they can replace him.
Jordan said on the BBC’s ‘This Sporting Life’ podcast: “Lewis Hamilton is the jewel in the crown. He’s the one every TV station wants to interview.