Being in the right place at the right time is a mark of a successful Formula One driver — a truism that will almost certainly lead Lewis Hamilton to agree a new deal at Mercedes , possibly within the week . The double world champion has chosen shrewdly throughout his career by hitching himself to McLaren in the early years and then moving to Mercedes for the 2013 season , despite the aristocracy of British motor racing advising him to stick with his existing team . The importance of making the correct decision was reinforced on the podium after Sunday ’ s Malaysian Grand Prix , when he saw Sebastian Vettel on the top step after the German ’ s own successful move from Red Bull to Ferrari . Lewis Hamilton sits on the podium alongside Sebastian Vettel after he claimed his first victory for Ferrari . Hamilton , out of contract at the end of the season , says his new Mercedes deal will be completed this week . Hamilton , who finished second , also thought of Fernando Alonso , whose career management has been disastrous since he left Renault in 2005 , the year he won the last of his two world titles . The Spaniard then walked out on McLaren when he could have won a third championship , went back to Renault as a stop-gap , joined Ferrari while it was moribund and returned to McLaren this season as they are slowly coming to terms with new engine partners Honda . Alonso managed less than half of Sunday ’ s race before a cooling problem intervened . Vettel , in only his second race for Ferrari , won in the car Alonso had just vacated . ‘ It ’ s nice to see Ferrari back up , ’ said Hamilton . ‘ I sat next to Sebastian and thought to myself , “ What is Fernando thinking ? ” I remember when I left McLaren and came here , we were better the next year . I had a good feeling then , but he ’ s almost done the opposite of what I did . It could have been him today . It ’ s just strange how things turn out . Hamilton finished behind race-winner Vettel in Sepang but still remains in the lead of the world championship . Hamilton led Vettel off the start-line at the Malaysian Grand Prix but eventually lost out to the German . ‘ McLaren are a fantastic team . It looks bad now but I ’ m sure they ’ ll get it together . Before you know it , it will be the three of us fighting , I ’ m pretty sure. ’ Alonso ’ s predicament is a terrible shame because he was the heir who supplanted Michael Schumacher as the German approached his first retirement in 2009 . Hamilton , 30 , does not want to fall into the same trap , and says he is ready to sign a new contract with Mercedes for three more years beyond this season . The tantalising prospect of his joining Ferrari , where he is hugely admired by president Sergio Marchionne , seems remote . They have Vettel and Hamilton is already part of a top team . No matter Sunday ’ s result — Hamilton beaten on pure pace by Vettel ’ s Ferrari — Mercedes are the team of the moment . Asked about signing for Ferrari , Hamilton said : ‘ No , don ’ t be silly . My contract at Mercedes should be done this week . There ’ s no reason why not . Honestly , it ’ s 99.6 per cent done. ’ Hamilton is expected to earn more than his current annual £20million salary when he pens his new deal . The exact terms of drivers ’ contracts are kept secret , but it is thought that Hamilton will get more than his current annual £20million salary , though probably not match Vettel ’ s deal at Ferrari , which could be worth up to £35m if he collects all his bonuses and extras . The Mercedes board want their team to be cost-efficient and will not pay the Earth even for a driver of Hamilton ’ s talent . As well as tying up the contract , Mercedes will spend the fortnight before the next race in China responding to the Ferrari challenge . It is believed that the cooler temperatures expected in Shanghai will favour Mercedes , but at least their defeat after eight successive wins relieved the monotony . ‘ I don ’ t think Ferrari ’ s win is a one-off , ’ said Hamilton . ‘ I don ’ t think they were lucky or it was a fluke . There ’ s always talk that they are easier on their tyres . ‘ I think we ’ ll manage . We ’ ve got a great group of people , a great approach , and from this we ’ ll take a step back . ‘ Second for me and third for Nico ( Rosberg ) is still good but they ’ re too close to us in the championship , so we ’ ll work very hard to analyse . It was not a kick ; it was a pinch . We have now got a race on our hands. ’ That is good news for the sport and hope for all the teams .
Formula says his Mercedes deal should be finalised in coming days . The Briton , who leads the F1 championship , says it is '99.6 per cent done ' Hamilton , out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the season , rubbished any suggestion he could join rivals Ferrari . CLICK HERE for all the latest Lewis Hamilton One news .