F1 Gossip: Hamilton-Mercedes deal done, announcement imminent?

- Reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has agreed a two-year contract (one year plus an option for another) to extend his stint at Mercedes with an announcement imminent - possibly early this week - according to reports in Germany (F1-Insider.com, AutoBild) 

- Meanwhile, new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali does not believe the delay over Hamilton’s new contract was related to salary demands as has been reported (RaceFans) 

- Domenicali also says he will urge drivers to “lead by example” as role models for the sport, singling out Hamilton as “very important” and “a massive ambassador for F1” (BBC) 

- Red Bull’s quest to challenge Mercedes in 2021 has resulted in its permitted development push focusing on the rear of its RB16-B car, with a new rear suspension, revised rear-wing, new gearbox, and upgraded Honda power unit among the biggest changes (Motorsport Week) 

- A report in German publication Auto Motor und Sport claims that Audi could be considering entering F1 from 2025, possibly as part of a collaboration with Red Bull (Auto Motor und Sport) 

- Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer has confirmed the team’s 2021 F1 car will have an entirely new chassis and survival cell despite the carryover of parts from last season (GPFans.com) 

- Ferrari has decided against an IndyCar programme in the near future as it looks to prioritise its short-term efforts to return to the front of the F1 grid (Speedweek) 

- AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly has donated the tribute helmet he wore at last year’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola to the Ayrton Senna Foundation (Formula1.com)