Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the marque has “always been aligned” with Lewis Hamilton, following confirmation that the parties will continue together into 2021.
Hamilton’s previous contract expired at the end of 2020, having won a seventh world title, but team and driver repeatedly stressed they were in no hurry to sort out a new deal.
On Monday, and with five weeks until the start of pre-season testing, Mercedes and Hamilton announced they will remain together for 2021.
In confirming the new deal Mercedes affirmed that “a significant part builds upon the joint commitment to greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport.”
It includes a joint charitable foundation “which will have the mission of supporting greater diversity and inclusion in all its forms in motorsport.”
“We have always been aligned with Lewis that we would continue, but the very unusual year we had in 2020 meant it took some time to finish the process,” said Wolff.
“Together, we have decided to extend the sporting relationship for another season and to begin a longer-term project to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport.
“Lewis’s competitive record stands alongside the best the sports world has ever seen, and he is a valued ambassador for our brand and our partners.
“The story of Mercedes and Lewis has written itself into the history books of our sport over the past eight seasons, and we are hungry to compete and to add more chapters to it.”
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