Ecclestone unsure of Hamilton plans

Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone believes Lewis Hamilton is undecided whether to commit to McLaren or make the switch to Mercedes.

Hamilton will be out of contract with McLaren at the end of the season and he has to decide whether to commit to the team where he has spent his entire racing career.

Reports over the weekend suggested he would have to take a big pay cut in order to stay at McLaren, while growing speculation has linked him with a move to Mercedes as a possible replacement for Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton refused to answer questions on his future at the Singapore Grand Prix and Ecclestone claims he is no longer sure where the 27-year-old will be next season despite knowing he had planned to leave McLaren.

“I don’t think he knows what he will do,” Ecclestone told ESPN.

“These last couple of races he has been doing very well. Before that, why he was upset I don’t know, but he was definitely going to move no matter what.

“He had made his mind up he was going. Whether he has changed now I don’t know.”

Hamilton was Fernando Alonso’s nearest rival prior to Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix but a gearbox failure resulted in his retirement, leaving his 52 points adrift of the Ferrari driver in the championship.