Mercedes has announced that Lewis Hamilton will remain with the team until at least 2020, after a new two-year deal was reached between the parties.
Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013 and in 2015 signed a new three-year deal that was set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
Mercedes had hoped to wrap up Hamilton’s future by the start of the season but both sides repeatedly stressed that they were in no hurry to finalise an agreement.
On Thursday, ahead of Mercedes’ home Grand Prix in Germany, it was finally confirmed that the reigning World Champion will remain with the team.
Hamilton’s relationship with Mercedes stretches back to his time climbing the Formula 1 ladder, having been powered by the manufacturer during his six seasons at McLaren.
Hamilton has taken 44 wins, 50 pole positions and three world titles since joining Mercedes’ Formula 1 operation in 2013.
"We have been aligned with Lewis ever since we first sat down to discuss the details of this contract after last season," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
"But there has understandably been a lot of interest and speculation around the whole process, so it's good to put all of that to rest and get this thing announced."
"We signed the final documents this week and didn't want to keep people waiting any longer! There is not much about Lewis as a Formula One driver that hasn't been said already – he is one of the all-time greats and his track record speaks for itself."
"But what I enjoy most about working with him is getting to know the man inside the racing helmet: his relentless drive for self-improvement, his emotional intelligence as a team member and his loyalty to those around him."
"Mercedes has become Lewis' home in Formula One and his story is linked forever with the silver and green of Mercedes-AMG Petronas. I am very confident that we have some incredible chapters of our story together still to come."
Hamilton's new contract brings him in line with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with all three now tied to their respective teams until the end of 2020.
See also: Hamilton insists Mercedes 'hungrier than ever' to succeed
Discussion about this post