Hamilton signs with the Mercedes F1 team for two more years

• Hamilton signs contract extension for two years
• Mercedes team boss says he can stay as long as he wants
• The Briton is chasing the eighth record title

July 3 (Reuters) – Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will stay in Formula 1 for at least the next two years after he and Mercedes announced a contract extension on Saturday.

The new deal is valid for 2022 and 2023.

“I am delighted that we will continue our partnership for another two years. We have achieved so much together, but we still have a lot to achieve both on and off the track,” said the 36-year-old Briton at the Austrian Grand Prix .

Hamilton, who moved from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013 to replace seven-time champions Michael Schumacher, was out of contract at the end of this season, having only signed a one-year deal in February.

“I have always said, as long as Lewis still has the passion for racing, he can go on as long as he wants,” commented team principal and partner Toto Wolff.

Hamilton is the most successful driver in the sport of all time with 98 wins and 100 pole positions, and Mercedes had said they didn’t want to leave it this late again.

“I am incredibly proud and grateful for the way Mercedes has supported me in my quest to improve diversity and equality in our sport,” said Hamilton, the only black driver in the sport who has used his platform to campaign for social justice.

“You have held yourself accountable and taken important steps to create a more diverse team and a more inclusive environment.

“We are entering a new era of automobiles that will be challenging and exciting, and I can’t wait to see what else we can achieve together.”

Hamilton is fighting for an eighth record title, but is second in the current championship after eight races, 18 points behind Red Bulls Max Verstappen.

Wolff said there was “no better driver” on the team to prepare for the big rule changes in 2022.

“His achievements in this sport speak for themselves, and with his experience, speed and racing skills he is at the peak of his strength,” added the Austrian.

“We’re enjoying the fight we’re having this year and that’s why we wanted to get this deal early too so we wouldn’t be distracted by the competition on the track.”

Liberty Media-owned Formula 1 welcomed the announcement that their star property had ended all speculation about its future.

“This is fantastic news for Formula 1 and I am delighted that Lewis will stay in Formula 1 for at least two more years,” said CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“What he has achieved in this sport is incredible and I know there is more to come. He is a global superstar on and off the racetrack and his positive influence on Formula 1 is enormous.”

Hamilton’s team-mate for 2022 has yet to be decided as the Finn Valtteri Bottas has left the contract and the young Brit George Russell tipped him to replace him.

Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London; Editing by Alex Richardson and Hugh Lawson

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