Sep.23 (GMM) According to the latest buzz in the Singapore paddock, the 'Lewis Hamilton saga' could be almost at the finish line.

Previously, it was rumoured the McLaren driver was so close to agreeing a switch to Mercedes next year that Michael Schumacher had started looking around for a new team.

Writing in Kleine Zeitung newspaper, correspondent Karin Sturm even revealed she had spotted Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm talking in the paddock with Peter Sauber and Monisha Kaltenborn.

But the German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag reports something quite different.

Apparently the seven time world champion is now close to getting the nod for another season with Mercedes in 2013, because Hamilton is now tipped to stay at McLaren.

The newspaper said the British team has upped its financial offer from around EUR 12m to 15m per season.

"If McLaren extends, Schumi stays at Mercedes," the report concluded.

Former McLaren driver and British television commentator Martin Brundle has heard the same.

"(I've) been told Hamilton contract should be sorted in a few days," he told his 275,000 Twitter followers.

"If so, (the) music stops and there will be a huge rush to sit down."

Asked by the Spanish newspaper El Pais if he will be able to convince Hamilton to stay, McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh answered on Saturday: "I am confident we will find a way."

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