The reigning Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has spent much of the past few years taking turns delighting his fans and keeping them on their toes. Given the discussions about a possible retirement, Hamilton’s plans were a mystery. At least until now – the British driver signed with Mercedes until 2023.
The two-year contract was announced shortly before the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. By the end of that tenure, Hamilton will have driven for Mercedes for over a decade.
Hamilton has avoided long contract negotiations, and in recent years he has never really had a reason to; After all, he’s a multiple champion. If one team doesn’t give him his terms, then surely another will.
When signing the contract, Hamilton noted the following:
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost nine years since we started working with this incredible team, and I’m excited to see our partnership continue for two more years. We have achieved so much together, but we still have a lot to achieve, both on and off the track.
I am incredibly proud and grateful for the way Mercedes has supported me in my endeavors to improve diversity and equality in our sport. You have held yourself accountable and taken important steps to create a more diverse team and a more inclusive environment.
Many thanks to all of the dedicated and talented people at Mercedes, whose hard work makes this all possible, and to the Board of Management for their continued trust in me. We are entering a new era of automobiles that will be challenging and exciting, and I’m excited to see what else we can achieve together.
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The renewal comes amid a fierce championship battle with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, who has proven to be Hamilton’s most intense competitor this season.
Now the big question remains: who will be Hamilton’s teammate? Valtteri Bottas’ contract expires at the end of this season and there has been almost constant talk about who will occupy that seat. Will Bottas stay? Or will Mercedes give young talent George Russell a chance, who has shown a lot of promising performances at Williams but ultimately needs a better car to make things happen.
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