Lewis Hamilton has signed a contract extension with Mercedes, confirming he will continue his historic Formula One career beyond his 40th birthday. Set to team up with George Russell until at least the end of 2025, Hamilton's new deal is expected to be worth around £50 million per year. The seven-time world champion aspires to conquer more milestones while the team aims to reclaim its top position in F1 racing.
In a significant move that promises to impact the world of Formula One racing, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has inked a new contract with Mercedes. This two-year extension, announced ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, ensures that Hamilton will continue his groundbreaking career in F1 beyond his 40th birthday. The details of the contract indicate that Hamilton could earn around £50 million annually, further solidifying his status as one of the sport's highest earners.
This announcement puts to rest the swirling rumors about Hamilton's future as his current contract was nearing its end. "We dream every day of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal,” said Hamilton, who debuted in F1 back in 2007. "Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team."
Mercedes also confirmed their commitment to an all-British driver lineup, as 25-year-old George Russell is set to remain Hamilton’s teammate until at least 2025. Team principal Toto Wolff expressed his enthusiasm for the continued partnership: "Our partnership with Lewis is one of the most successful in the sport’s history. It was always a formality that we would continue together – and it’s energizing for us all to be confirming that publicly."
Although Hamilton holds the record for the most F1 race wins at 103, he has faced a challenging period recently. After controversially losing an eighth world crown to Max Verstappen in 2021, Hamilton finds himself fourth in the current standings, trailing a staggering 183 points behind Verstappen. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton remains optimistic. "We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again," he affirmed.
Hamilton's extended contract not only aims to bring more championships to Mercedes but also solidifies his role as an influential figure off the track. “As F1’s biggest global star, he has also played a key role in shaping our commitments to diversity, inclusion and sustainability, that will be foundations for our success in the years ahead,” Wolff added.
In sum, this contract extension represents a significant moment for both Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, and could very well reshape the landscape of Formula One in the coming years.
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(With inputs from Opta, powered by AI)
