F1: Lewis Hamilton to hold talks with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff this month

Lewis set for Mercedes talks

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is yet to begin talks with Mercedes regarding his future, team boss Toto Wolff has revealed.

British driver Hamilton is out of contract at the end of this season and there has been speculation he could leave Mercedes for rivals Ferrari next year.

When asked about Hamilton’s future Wolff told Auto Motor und Sport that talks would not start until the team returns from the off-season.

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“The last time we met was at the Christmas party,” said Wolff. “We chatted a bit about the future but since then we have only talked on WhatsApp. When you are so busy for ten months, it is important to take a break.

“That’s why we decided to leave ourselves alone in December and January. When it all starts again in February, we will sit down and discuss it.”

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Williams fire up the FW43

Williams Racing have released a video on social media which shows the firing up of their 2020 challenger, the FW43.

The Grove-based team will fully unveil the FW43 on 17 February - two days before the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona.

F1 2020 season guide: car launch dates and race calendar

Brawn: Chinese GP could be rescheduled

A number of media outlets are reporting that April’s F1 Chinese Grand Prix could be postponed and rescheduled following the coronavirus outbreak. The race is scheduled to take place in Shanghai on 19 April.

BBC Sport quotes F1’s managing director Ross Brawn who hopes that the race will be rescheduled if it cannot be held on the planned date.

He said: “We will leave open the opportunity to see if the race can run later in the year. China is an enthusiastic, growing market so we’d like to have a race in China.

“We’re waiting for the Chinese promoter and authorities to make the final decision, which I think they will.

“They have cancelled all the public events in March, so no public sporting events or activities. It is a tragic and very difficult situation. I think it’ll become clear in the next week or two what’s going to happen.”

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