Hamilton signs 2-yr Mercedes extension

LEWIS Hamilton has signed a new two-year contract with Mercedes, running until the end of the 2023 Formula One season.

The 36-year-old is chasing a record-breaking eighth world championship this season, having won six of his previous seven with Mercedes, who he joined from McLaren in 2012.

Hamilton confirmed “positive” discussions last month and can now focus fully on attempting to overhaul Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who has opened up an 18-point lead in the drivers’ standings after eight rounds of the 2021 season.

“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,” Hamilton said.

“We’ve accomplished so much together but we still have a lot to achieve, both on and off the track.” This latest prompt renewal is in stark contrast to Hamilton’s contract situation for the current campaign.

The compressed 2020 schedule and then Hamilton and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff both testing positive for Covid-19 contributed to the world champion ending the year out of contract. He did not pen his most recent oneyear deal until February.

From 2014 to 2020, the only world title Hamilton did not win went to his then teammate Nico Rosberg, underlining a period of total domination for Mercedes - a run that has seen their lead drive move on to 100 pole positions and 98 career wins.

Along with Red Bull’s strong challenge this time around, a host of new technical regulations slated for 2022 mean Mercedes’ pre-eminence no longer looks quite so certain.