Mercedes has announced a contract extension for Lewis Hamilton in a multi-year deal on the eve of Formula 1’s German Grand Prix.
After a long wait, Mercedes finally announced the contract extension for Hamilton which will see the British driver compete with the German manufacturer until the 2020 season – thereby making it a eight years stay for Hamilton in Mercedes.
Since the start of the 2018 season, the contract between Hamilton and Mercedes has been the talking point as both have taken their time to sort out the remaining pieces which will bind them together for record-breaking years.
In his six years of stay thus far, he has won three more titles to add to the one he took with McLaren. This year, he is in a big fight with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel as the German leads Hamilton after 10 races in the season.
“This contract extension has basically been a formality since Toto and I sat down during the winter, so it’s good to put pen to paper, announce it and then get on with business as usual,” Hamilton said upon the announcement.
“I have been part of the Mercedes racing family for 20 years and I have never been happier inside a team than I am right now. We are on the same wavelength both on and off track – and I am looking forward to winning more in the future and shining even more light on the three-pointed star.
“I’m very confident that Mercedes is the right place to be over the coming years. Although we have enjoyed so much success together since 2013, Mercedes is hungrier than ever – from Dr Zetsche and the board members at the top of Daimler, through Toto and the team management, to every single person I meet in the corridors of Brixworth and Brackley.
“The competitive passion that burns bright inside me is shared by every single member of this group – always chasing the next improvement and digging even deeper to make sure we come out on top. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in the next two-and-a-half seasons.”
Team boss Toto Wolff added: “We have been aligned with Lewis ever since we first sat down to discuss the details of this contract after last season, but there has understandably been a lot of interest and speculation around the whole process, so it’s good to put all of that to rest and get this thing announced.
“We signed the final documents this week and didn’t want to keep people waiting any longer! There is not much about Lewis as a Formula One driver that hasn’t been said already – he is one of the all-time greats and his track record speaks for itself.
“But what I enjoy most about working with him is getting to know the man inside the racing helmet: his relentless drive for self-improvement, his emotional intelligence as a team member and his loyalty to those around him.
“Mercedes has become Lewis’ home in Formula One and his story is linked forever with the silver and green of Mercedes-AMG Petronas. I am very confident that we have some incredible chapters of our story together still to come.”
While Mercedes announced Hamilton’s extension, no word was made for Valtteri Bottas if the Finn stays for another season with the German manufacturer. Daniel Ricciardo was speculated to replace Bottas but it seems like Ricciardo will re-sign with Red Bull Racing.
