Lewis Hamilton is committed to signing a new contract at McLaren, according to team boss Martin Whitmarsh.

The 27 year old's current contract runs out at the end of this season leading to talk of a potential departure to rivals Red Bull and Ferrari.

But Whitmarsh says Hamilton wants to stay at the team going into next season, quashing rumours over his immediate future.

Martin Whitmarsh and Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton wants to sign a new contract according to Whitmarsh.

"You get a few questions over a weekend about it, and it is clearly fascinating to some people, but I really don't think it is an issue.

"Lewis and I have spoken two or three times at length. I think we are closer than we have ever been, and I have known him since he was 11, and our conversations have been about how we are going to beat the other teams, and how we are going to try and win races.

"We don't talk about these issues at race tracks because I don't think it is the right environment.

"Ultimately it [the contract situation] is relatively straightforward. If Lewis wants to stay in the team, which he has told me he does, then he should do. And if we want to keep him, then we should do.

"If the answer to both those matters is yes, then I think it is eminently doable - so not something that has to have as much focus as turning up at races, trying to bring the quickest car you can and doing the best job possible."

The 2008 driver's champion has endured a frustrating career at McLaren since his maiden F1 title, failing to sustain a title push in possession of a car which has lacked race pace.

Hamilton has seen rivals Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel both take the title in the last three years, with McLaren failing to mount a genine challenge.

While last season saw a series of errors from Hamilton undermine his assault, this year pit stop mistakes from his team has left him 47 points off championship leader Fernando Alonso.

He was able to win the final race before the annual F1 summer break, in Hungary, leaving him in contention going into the Belgian Grand Prix on 2 September and the remaining nine races of the season.