F1 German Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton remains coy on his Mercedes future as he admits he's 'relaxed' following team-mate Nico Rosberg's contract extension

Lewis Hamilton fully expects to remain Nico Rosberg's team-mate for many years to come, although he has left the door slightly ajar for a potential move.

On Wednesday Rosberg committed his future to Mercedes by signing a new long-term deal believed to take him through to the end of 2016 at least.

Whether Hamilton will follow suit is a question unlikely to be answered until next year at some stage as the 29-year-old's current three-year contract does not expire until the end of 2015.

For now, Hamilton is naturally at home with the Brackley-based team as he fights to claim his second world championship.

Heading into this weekend's German Grand Prix, trailing Rosberg by just four points following his recent win at Silverstone, Hamilton said: "I'm quite relaxed at the moment.

"Obviously I'm in a different position to Nico. His contract was due to run out at the end of this year, so it was the right time for him to discuss things, whereas my contract is until the end of 2015.

"I'm very, very happy in the team and naturally I assume I'll sit down with the bosses and we'll discuss the future.

"But I've been with Mercedes since I was 13 years old, and it's very difficult for me to see myself anywhere else, but you never know what the future may hold."

As for the immediate future, another captivating battle is in store this weekend as Hamilton and Rosberg continue their head-to-head battle for motor sport's most prized crown.

Given the week Rosberg has enjoyed since the deflation of his first retirement this season in the British Grand Prix, Hamilton is wary of the positive effect that could have on the German.

In the space of a few days Rosberg got married, watched Germany win the World Cup, and then put to paper on his new deal.

In terms of attempting to wrest back the initiative from Hamilton, Rosberg could not have asked for more, and will now be buoyed by the backing of thousands of ecstatic Germans on home soil.

Assessing the situation, Hamilton added: "For every driver when he goes into his home race he gets a boost, and I think Nico will have that extra boost this weekend.

"Not least because Germany have just won the World Cup and the whole country is on a serious high.

"Hopefully that will also have a positive effect on the whole team, as Mercedes-Benz."

Rosberg, who concedes he has had a "very positive week", is naturally hoping to tap into the positive vibe that has swept his country in light of the World Cup triumph.

"The effort of the team as a whole, how they all played together was really great to see and that's what helped them win the tournament," said Rosberg.

"That's what we at Mercedes are trying to do as well, to really work well, everybody together, to make the most of it.

"We're also on the right track in that respect because to dominate the sport as we are doing indicates we work pretty well together as a team.

"Of course there's room for improvement, but we're going in the right direction."

PA