Hamilton signs two-year deal

LEWIS HAMILTON has signed a two-year deal to drive for Mercedes until at least the end of 2023.

But the contract, which nudges an annual £40million, offered no protection yesterday from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who claimed his third-successive pole position as he aims to extend his 18-point lead over Hamilton in today’s Austrian Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion was fourth fastest – behind 21-year-old British driver Lando Norris, of McLaren, and the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

Hamilton’s contract extension was thrashed out in a matter of weeks. Talks started in May and he signed on Friday. That is in contrast to how negotiations on his current one-year deal dragged on into February, little more than a month before the start of the season, and strained relations.

This time it was all much easier, not least because Mercedes restored Hamilton (right) to his pre-Covid salary, having reduced his pay to around £30m in light of the pandemic.

‘I’m pretty sure it’s not his last contract,’ said team principal Toto Wolff. ‘Lewis always flirts with the thought this may be the last one to keep his options in mind. But this is not going to be his last.’

Hamilton has every one of his titles with Mercedes, the first in 2008 as engine partners to McLaren and the next six in the Silver Arrows team. It is the most successful collaboration in F1 history. Referring to next year’s overhaul of the regulations, Hamilton added: ‘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.’

But first he must deal with this season’s title contest and it is proving tricky. Verstappen took pole without unfurling his best lap. Hamilton was three-tenths back, fearing an even more painful weekend than last, when the Dutchman took a commanding victory on the same track in the Styrian Grand Prix.

‘We continue to lack pace,’ said Hamilton. ‘We have tried everything to get more out of the car but this is our underlying speed at the moment. We have really got to find performance in the following races.’

Is a win out of the question? ‘I would say so. I have got two cars to get by and Red Bull have improved this weekend. It is an easy cruise for Max.’