Hamilton renews with Mercedes and will race until he is 40!
The seven-time English champion has extended his contract to the end of 2025 to fight for an eighth title: “We will win again.” Team-mate George Russell also renews.
Lewis Hamilton says that his “story isn’t finished” and that he believes that winning a record eighth title is not impossible: Mercedes announced today that Hamilton will be staying on until the end of 2025, after agreeing to a two-year contract extension. The driver with the most pole positions (104) and victories (103) in the history of this sport gives himself another couple of opportunities to overtake Schumacher’s seven titles in the midst of the Red Bull-Verstappen era of dominance. This new arrangement will allow Sir Lewis to compete until he is 40 years old. In addition, the Brackley team has also confirmed the continuity of George Russell - also until 2025.
Hamilton hopes for more success with the team that made him one of the sports greats: “We dream everyday of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal. Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team,” Hamilton said in a press release. “We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again. I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do”.
His last victory came at the Saudi Arabian GP in 2021 and he has not fought for the world championship since that unforgettable season finale in Abu Dhabi that left him without a crown in the last lap, in favor of ‘Mad Max’ and after a controversial safety car that cost him the title to Michael Masi.
“The strongest lineup on the grid”
Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team CEO and Team Principal added: “We have the strongest pairing on the grid and both drivers are playing a crucial role in the team to move us forward. Our partnership with Lewis is one of the most successful in the sport’s history. It was always a formality that we would continue together – and it’s energising for us all to be confirming that publicly. His qualities as a pure racing driver are illustrated by his remarkable track record; but over our years together, he has grown to become a pillar and leader of our team”.
The Austrian leader repeatedly pointed out that Hamilton’s new contract with was just a matter of time, of sorting out formalities. It is also true that the British press linked him to Ferrari in recent months. Perhaps it was an interested leak so that the pilot could strengthen his position in the negotiations. In any case, it seems almost impossible for Hamilton to get into a car that is not powered by a Mercedes engine throughout his career. He made his debut in 2007 in the official team of the German firm, which was then McLaren, and made the leap in 2013 to get on the great dominator of the hybrid era from then on.
This season, Hamilton is fourth in the World Championship behind Verstappen, Pérez and Alonso. He took pole in Hungary, although he has not aspired to better results. Last year he could have won in Zandvoort or Brazil, it was Russell who achieved his first victory in F1 precisely in Interlagos ahead of the English veteran. With that victory, young George laid the foundations for his future at Mercedes as heir to the seven-time champion. Although it is clear that Hamilton does not need heirs, because he does not plan to leave before fighting again for the title he feels is missing.