Lewis Hamilton agrees new two-year deal with Mercedes F1 team

Defending Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has agreed a new deal to remain at Mercedes. Hamilton, who has been at Mercedes since 2012, signed a new two-year agreement on Saturday (July 3). This means Hamilton will be at the team till 2023. The Brit has won 6 out of his 7 championships with Mercedes and is gunning for a record eighth title. It is also the second contract he’s signed with the team in less than six months. His new deal for the 2021 season was signed a little before pre-season testing began. However, both Hamilton and the team wanted to avoid a repeat of that this year. Thus, work was done quickly to give their main driver a new deal.

He’s staying… ? @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/bDaHhlP8Iv

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 3, 2021

“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 have than Lewis Hamilton – Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was also happy to get the new contract out of the way. He also added that Hamilton can race for the side as long as he wants to.

“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 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.”

The news was also lauded by F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali. He called Hamilton a ‘global superstar’ and praised his impact on the sport.

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

“What he has achieved in this sport is incredible and I know he has more to come. He is a global superstar on and off the race track and his positive impact on Formula 1 is huge.”

Who will be his Mercedes teammate?

This remains the golden question for the team. Keeping Lewis Hamilton on at the team is understandable; he’s won 6 championships and is still in good form and conditioning.

However, there have always been question marks over Valtteri Bottas. And unfortunately, the calls to get rid of him have only grown in recent times.

This isn’t helped by constant speculation and rumours floating that Mercedes junior driver George Russell will get the seat.

Indeed, Wolff has namechecked Russell as someone in contention for the seat. To make matters worse, Bottas has said that contract negotiations haven’t begun with the team.

But with Hamilton’s signing now secured, the focus will turn to who gets the seat next year. And at the moment, that remains unclear – even with rumours suggesting Russell is set to get the seat.