Lewis Hamilton has extended his deal with Mercedes Formula 1 team until the end of 2023. The Briton has made the long-term commitnemnt to his team despite speculation that his position might replaced by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
“We’ve accomplished so much together but we still have a lot to achive, both on and off the track.” Hamilton said.
“I’m incredibly proud and grateful of how Mercedes has supported me in my drive to improve diversity and equality in our sport. They have held themselves accountable and made important strides in creating a more diverse team and inclusive environment.
The deal extends Hamilton’s nine-year stay and will take the Briton and Mercedes, Formula 1’s most successful driver-team combination, into the sport’s much-changed new era from 2022.
“Thank you to all the dedicated and talented individuals at Mercedes whose hard work makes it all possible and the board for their continued trust in me.” Hamilton said.
“We’re entering a new era of car which will be challenging and exciting and I can’t wait to see what else we can achieve together.” he added.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is abosolutely delighted that Hamilton has agreed to extend his deal with the German manufacture.
“As we enter a new era of F1 from 2022 onwards, there can be no better driver to have in our team than Lewis.” Wolff said.
“His achievements in this sport speak for themselves, and with his experience, speed and race craft, he is at the peak of his power.
“We are relishing the battle we have on our hands this year, and that’s why we also wanted to agree this contract early, so we have no distractions from the competition on track.” Wolff added.
Hamilton, the sport’s most successful driver of all time, is 32 points adrift of Red Bull rival Verstappen, who won the Austraian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The seven-time world champion dropped from second to fourth late on after going to wide on a turn and rolling a kerb, damaging the floor of his car at Spielberg track.
