Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton has signed a new contract estimated to worth up to £40million with Mercedes, keeping the seven-time world Champion on the grid for 2021 season.
The 36-year-old had been out of contract since January 1, but his new deal with Mercedes will keep him at the team for a ninth successive season.
He will be aiming for a record eight world title this year, surpassing the joint record he holds with Michael Schumacher.
It would be recalled that Hamilton became the sport’s most successful driver ever in 2020, breaking Schumacher‘s all-time win record and drawing level with the German’s seven titles.
The racer currently holds the records for the most wins (95), pole positions (98), and podium finishes (165).
Hamilton previously signed agreements of at least two years in F1, but signed a year contract this time.
It is understood that both Hamilton and Mercedes wanted the flexibility of a short deal, both parties insisted that a new deal was a formality, but no announcement was made before the end of last year.
💬 “Together, we have decided to extend the sporting relationship for another season and to begin a longer-term project to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport” – Toto Wolff
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 8, 2021
Mercedes CEO and team boss, Toto Wolff who has formed a hugely successful partnership with Hamilton said;
We have always been aligned with Lewis that we would continue, but the very unusual year we had in 2020 meant it took some time to finish the process. Together, we have decided to extend the sporting relationship for another season and to begin a longer-term project to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport.
Lewis’s competitive record stands alongside the best the sports world has ever seen, and he is a valued ambassador for our brand and our partners. The story of Mercedes and Lewis has written itself into the history books of our sport over the past eight seasons, and we are hungry to compete and add more chapters to it.
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On his part, Hamilton stated;
I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates. Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track.
He added;
I’m equally determined to continue the journey we started to make motorsport more diverse for future generations and I am grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address the issue. I’m proud to say we are taking that effort further this year by launching a foundation dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the sport.
I am inspired by all that we can build together and can’t wait to get back on the main track in March.
New formula 1 season begins at Bahrain on March 26-28 and hopefully it will be a successful season for Hamilton.
