Mega deal makes Hamilton highest paid driver

London, July 19: Lewis Hamilton finally ended speculation over his future on Thursday as the fourtime world champion signed a blockbuster twoyear contract extension with Mercedes.

Hamilton’s deal is worth a reported £ 40 million ($ 52 million) per year, cementing the British star’s status as Formula One’s highest paid driver and his country’s top earning sportsman.

Following months of speculation about the negotiations and whether Hamilton would move to another team, the 33- yearold is now tied to Mercedes until the conclusion of the 2020 season.

Hamilton insisted he had always been on course to remain with Mercedes, telling the team’s website after the announcement: “This contract extension has basically been a formality since Toto and I sat down during the winter, so it’s good to put pen to paper, announce it and then get on with business as usual.

“I have been part of the Mercedes racing family for 20 years and I have never been happier inside a team than I am right now. We are on the same wavelength both on and off track - and I am looking forward to winning more in the future and shining even more light on the three- pointed star. I’m very confident that Mercedes is the right place to be over the coming years.

“Although we have enjoyed so much success together since 2013, Mercedes is hungrier than ever — from Dr Zetsche and the board members at the top of Daimler, through Toto ( Wolff) and the team management, to every single person I meet in the corridors of Brixworth and Brackley.”

Hamilton will be nearing his 36th birthday at the conclusion of his latest contract, and he has made no secret of his desire to forge a career in fashion or music.

For now, Hamilton is chasing his fifth world crown this season to join Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio as the only other driver to have won more than four titles.

Hamilton will this weekend bid to wreck Sebastian Vettel’s homecoming at Hockenheim in the German GP.

MIAMI DELAYS DECISION ON RACE Miami city authorities have delayed a decision on hosting a Formula One race in the face of local opposition.

Miami Herald reported that a discussion on a race contract had been scheduled for July 26 but will now have to wait until after the City Commission’s August recess.

It said the delay was to get more input from downtown residents.