Lewis Hamilton is hoping to reach a contract agreement with McLaren during the early part of the upcoming Formula 1 season.
The 27-year-old is about to enter the final year of his current deal, fueling speculation that he is considering changing teams in 2013.
However, Hamilton is keen to pen an extension sooner rather than later to prevent the situation from becoming a distraction.
"After the first couple of races it's something we will probably want to get out of the way," Hamilton said.
"That will allow us to focus on the rest of the year without the team being concerned and without it being something just hanging around.
"It means [the media] won't have to ask questions about it, so I'll try to get it out of the way at some stage, probably in the earlier part of the year rather than later."
Hamilton joined McLaren in 2007.
