It is reported that Lewis Hamilton is expected to sign an astonishing new deal with Mercedes which will see the four-time world champion smash the record for the biggest contract in British sporting history.

According to The Sun, the Formula One world champion will earn £40m a year over the first two years of the new agreement, while he also has the option of a third year.

This means the 33-year-old has the potential to make a minimum of £120m in those three years which equates to roughly £770,000 a week -  not bad at all.

In 2017 Hamilton was valued as the 10th best-paid sportsman in the world, a ranking that would surely increase if this whopping new contract were to go through.

Hamilton has admitted that he still questions whether he can perform at the top level before the beginning of each new season and that keeps him motivated year-in, year-out.

“I still love racing, I still love the challenge of every year getting myself in shape," he said.

“But I always have this question of if I can still drive before I get to the first test — can I still do it? Do I still have it? I love that unknown."

And who wouldn't love that unknown with the knowledge that you were comfortably the best paid British sports star before you've even stepped onto the tarmac?

Hamilton has been in contract discussions with bosses at Mercedes for a number of months and speaking to Sky Sports F1 last month, he insisted he was in no rush and has had no thoughts about leaving the team.

"[Toto Wolff and I] spoke very often and we were constantly saying how committed we are to each other. I know that there is no one better so he's not going to be looking anywhere else, he knows that, and I know there is nobody better so I'm not looking anywhere else.

"We are comfortable and we are committed to each other. It's just about sorting out the details always.

"Hopefully we will have something done by the first race but we are in no rush."

Current pundit and former British driver David Coulthard has suggested the announcement delay may revolve around the terms of the contract and also the fact that Hamilton knows he is in a strong position.

“Lewis has the confidence to know that they both want it and as ever the main details of the contract delay will be two things," the Scot suggested.

“How much more freedom he has in his new contract and how may days he has to work when he’s not at the racetrack.

“And the second thing is the payment because all the other terms and conditions -- respecting Mercedes and not saying anything negative things about the partners -- all of that is largely the same as we have had for 20 or 30 years."