Lewis Hamilton coy on future as silly season revs up

With Lewis Hamilton continuing to keep everyone guessing over his future - the 2008 world champion prefaced in Thursday's press conference by stating firmly he would not be taking questions on the subject as there was "no more news" - speculation regarding who might replace him at McLaren dominated conversation.

Hamilton holds the key to the silliest of silly seasons in many a year.

Should he respond to Mercedes's overtures, and many believe he has already agreed a pounds 60?million deal but is desperate to keep it under wraps for fear of destroying his relationship with McLaren at a crucial stage of the season, it could trigger a chain reaction all the way down the grid. It could bump Michael Schumacher into retirement.

The uncertainty has created a vacuum into which new names are being thrown on a daily basis. Sergio Perez is thought to top the list of possible replacements at McLaren.

The Mexican yesterday denied he had fielded any calls from Woking but in all other respects did his best to fan the flames of the rumour.

He said he felt "ready" to fight for wins and championships with a top team and denied that his association with Ferrari would count against him. "I have a nice connection to Ferrari through the Ferrari Academy, but I'm just part of the academy - not the Ferrari team," he said. "So it doesn't affect any possible move."

It was an intriguing statement in the wake of comments from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo to the effect that the 22 year-old was too inexperienced to replace the struggling Felipe Massa. Perhaps it was merely designed to force Ferrari's hand. "I fully respect his opinion," was all Perez would say.

"It's only my second year in F1. But I feel ready to do a good job with a top team, to fight for the championship."

The attraction of Perez, apart from his extraordinary ability to manage his tyres which has seen him move through the field with indecent haste on various occasions both this year and last, is his relationship with Telmex and its chairman and CEO Carlos Slim, the world's richest man.

The telecommunications giant would be a welcome addition to the McLaren stable should Vodafone decide not to renew its title sponsorship deal, as has been rumoured.

In any case, Perez is by no means the only name in the McLaren frame. The Force India pair of Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg have also been thrown into the ring. The former is good friends with Jenson Button but promised yesterday he would put that relationship to one side if he got the nod. "I would still drive over the top of him at the last corner," the Scot smiled.

Kimi Raikkonen, meanwhile, was his usual enigmatic self when asked about his plans for 2013, refusing to confirm even that he would be in the sport. Lotus are thought to have an option on the 2007 world champion, but contracts in Formula One are made to be broken.

It is the one that remains unsigned, however, which still causes the biggest headache. "I am here to talk about this weekend," Hamilton began yesterday, flanked by two McLaren PR men. "I have no more news. Let's discuss something else." Indeed. It is all too easy to forget there is a magnificent five-way fight for the championship going on.