Hamilton signs two-year Mercedes contract extension

Lewis Hamilton has signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes that will see the seven-time world champion remain at the team until at least the end of the 2023 season.

Hamilton joined the Mercedes factory team in 2013 after parting ways with McLaren and has gone on to add six titles to his name and equal Michael Schumacher's record of seven, tasting championship success in all but one season since 2014.

To date, Hamilton has scored 77 race wins and 74 pole positions for the team.

"It is hard to believe it's been nearly nine years working with this incredible team and I'm excited we're going to continue our partnership for two more years," said Hamilton.

"We've accomplished so much together but we still have a lot to achieve, both on and off the track. 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. 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.

"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."

"No better driver" to lead Mercedes into the new aerodynamic era

Hamilton's latest deal to race in the current season was only finalised in February with the Covid-19 pandemic and a desire not to begin talks before clinching both the drivers' and constructors' titles delaying the negotiation process.

Both Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Hamilton quickly expressed a desire to avoid a repeat of this situation in the future, a factor that will have played a part in the early announcement this time around.

Of the new deal, Wolff said: "As we enter a new era of F1 from 2022 onwards, there can be no better driver to have in our team than Lewis. His achievements in this sport speak for themselves, and with his experience, speed and race-craft, he is at the peak of his powers.

"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. I have always said that as long as Lewis still possesses the fire for racing, he can continue as long as he wants."

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