He’s currently locked in a contract stand off with Mercedes, after his £40million-a-year deal with his Formula One team expire at the end of December.

And Lewis Hamilton appeared keen to distract himself from the ongoing drama on Friday, when he was spotted jewellery shopping at Beverly Hills’ XIV Karats Ltd.

The racecar driver, 36, departed his spending spree in style, exiting the upscale establishment sporting a neck full of blinding bling as he drove off in his £140,000 2000 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.

Bling: Lewis Hamilton was spotted jewellery shopping at Beverly Hills’ XIV Karats Ltd on Friday

Sources tell MailOnline that the Hertfordshire-native more than three hours in the tony jewellery store, located just a stone’s throw away from the famed Rodeo Drive.

He stepped out in casually cool style for the solo excursion, sporting a cream sweater emblazoned with the word ‘optimism’, which he teamed with a pair of matching jogging bottoms and box fresh white Jordans.

Adhering by COVID-19 safety protocols, he wore a white face mask, while he shielded his eyes from the Southern California sunshine with a pair of stylish shades.

Lewis’ spending spree comes amid reports he’s been locked in a contract stand off with Mercedes as both sides struggle to settle on a new deal.

Wheels: He departed his spending spree in style, exiting the upscale establishment sporting a neck full of blinding bling as he drove off in his £140,000 2000 Porsche Taycan Turbo S

Mercedes has just a month to tie him down and the length of a new deal appears to be the sticking point with the Silver Arrows only willing to offer him a one-year deal.

It would be a PR disaster to at least not have Lewis on board by March 2 to help unveil Mercedes’ new car they hope can lead them to double world championship glory for the eighth season in a row.

Meanwhile, the star’s social life has been under the spotlight over the past week, after American model Grace Lindley was spotted leaving his Beverly Hills hotel cabana on Monday morning.

Grace was seen emerging from the same cabana as Lewis, moments before the star sheepishly made his way towards his parked Mercedes at around 9.30am.

Hamilton is relaxing in California after testing positive for COVID-19 less than 24-hours after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix on November 29th. He has since made a full recovery.

Long visit: Sources tell MailOnline that the Hertfordhsire native more than three hours in the tony jewellery store, located just a stone’s throw away from the famed Rodeo Drive

Lewis updated his fans in January on how he was feeling as he continued working on his fitness after recovering from the physical effects of COVID-19.

The driver has embarked on a gruelling fitness regime which involved altitude training and admitted a stay at an undisclosed mountain location had a positive impact on his mental and physical health.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: ‘Hey World, I haven’t been on here for a while. I’m in the mountains training everyday, getting my mind and body right.

‘I’m hiking to the top of the mountain every morning. 3 of those hikes I cross country ski once I get to the top which is at 3400m, killer.

‘I love altitude training, there is less oxygen high up so working out is much harder than at sea level, just walking up the stairs you feel it at 2000m. Normally when I finish training here and return to sea level running is such a breeze.’

Model: His social life has attracted quite the spotlight over the past week, after American model Grace Lindley was spotted leaving his Beverly Hills hotel cabana on Monday morning

He added: ‘I’m trying to find the right balance in cardio and strength building. On top of that, lots of work ongoing in the background. Many moving parts but just checking in to let you know I’m doing good, I’m healthy and mentally strong right now in my bubble.

‘I hope you are staying as positive as you can with all that is still going on. Keep your head up. I can’t wait to see you all again at some stage soon. Sending you love and light.’

The Formula 1 champion previously revealed he lost almost a stone in weight and had ‘really low strength’ after contracting the virus towards the end of last year.

Taking to Instagram in December, he shared a picture of himself in the gym and wrote: ‘I’ve lost 6kg over the past two months. Four of which I lost when I got Covid.

‘I’ve lost so much muscle. Starting from a low point in strength now, not fun but I’m determined to get my strength back and to be 100 per cent again. No pain, no gain.’

After testing positive, Hamilton spent 10 days in isolation at the start of December and admitted he had ‘one of the hardest weeks in some time’ after getting the result.

He finished third at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday 13 December, saying he felt ‘destroyed’ and just ‘happy to be alive’ after his race return.

The sportsman had previously taken to Twitter to thank his fans for their support while isolating in his hotel room in Bahrain, after the news of his positive COVID-19 test broke on December 1.

He said: ‘It’s definitely been one of the hardest weeks that I’ve had in some time. Just been focusing on recovering and getting back in shape so I can get back in the car and race the final race in Abu Dhabi.

Contract: Lewis’ spending spree comes amid reports he’s been locked in a contract stand off with Mercedes as both sides struggle to settle on a new deal. Pictured in December

‘I woke up today feeling great and got my first workout in early so wanted to send you guys positivity and let you know I’m OK… I hope that wherever you are, you’re staying positive and fighting through whatever you’re facing. I hope that I can get back in the car soon. And I’m sending you guys love.’

It was revealed on December 1 that Lewis had tested positive for COVID-19 with the star missing the Sakhir Grand Prix and he faced an anxious wait to see if he will be able to take part in the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP.

However, before his Covid result and the undoubtedly stressful end of the F1 season, Lewis was seen enjoying a yacht trip with glamorous model Florence Mueller in September.

With her long limbs, toned abs and luscious raven locks, Florence bore a striking resemblance to his former flame, Nicole Scherzinger.

Deal: Mercedes has just a month to tie him down and the length of a new deal appears to be the sticking point with the Silver Arrows only willing to offer him a one-year deal. Pictured in 2020

But a source speaking to The Sun on Sunday claimed that Lewis and the model were strictly friends, as they claimed they were ‘just good mates.’

The inside said: ‘Lewis and Florence aren’t dating, they’re just good mates. She joined him on the boat as part of a group of pals with Lewis. They get on but there’s nothing romantic going on between them at the moment.’

MailOnline has contacted Lewis’ representatives for comment at the time.

Lewis and Nicole called time on their on and off eight year relationship in 2015 but have remained amicable, reuniting at the Fashion Awards in London in December 2019.

The former Pussycat Doll is now dating retired British rugby player Thom Evans after meeting on Celebrity X Factor at the end of 2019.

Meanwhile, Lewis has been linked to a strong of women since ending his eight-year relationship with Nicole.

Model Barbara Palvin, Winnie Harlow and Kendall Jenner, singers Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Rita Ora, and young socialite Sofia Richie have all been romantically connected to the star over the ensuing four years.

Back in July, Russian model Viktoria Odintcova spoke out to claim that she had a romantic relationship with the star shortly after his split from his longterm girlfriend.

Ex factor: Lewis famously dated Nicole Scherzinger for eight years on and off until 2015 (pictured left in 2014)

The 26-year-old brunette beauty claimed that Formula 1 world champ Lewis pursued her four years ago, after parting ways with the former Pussycat Doll though she insists they’re now just friends.

RT quotes her as saying: ‘We had different types of relationship. At a certain period of time it was romantic. He was courting me.

‘But then this relationship evolved into friendship. I live in Russia and he lives abroad. We just became friends who can message each other and send holiday greetings.’

Viktoria reportedly revealed that the pair met in Barcelona four years ago, before exchanging direct messages on Instagram, though they’re not just friends.

From Russia, with love: Since splitting from Nicole, Lewis has been linked to a slew of stunning women, including Russian model Viktoria Odintcova