Lewis Hamilton signed a two-year contract to stay in F1 with Mercedes

SPIELBERG, Austria – Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will remain in Formula 1 for another two years after signing a contract to stay with Mercedes until the end of the 2023 season.

Hamilton originally pledged a one-year deal with Mercedes this year, leaving its future questionable beyond the 2021 season. However, after continuing discussions with team boss Toto Wolff this season, Mercedes announced on Saturday that Hamilton will continue on the team until at least the end of 2023.

The new deal will keep Hamilton, currently the third oldest driver in F1, in the sport until he is 38.

Hamilton has been at Mercedes since early 2013 and secured six of his seven World Championships with the team, 77 of his 98 race wins out of 74 of his 100 pole positions.

He is currently second in the championship order behind Max Verstappen and wants to have his eighth world championship this year, which makes him clear from the all-time record he is currently sharing with Michael Schumacher.

In the 2022 season, the technical regulations of the F1 will be renewed with a new form of car designed to slow down speeds and improve riding.

Over the past year, Hamilton, the only black driver in the F1, has increasingly used his position in the sport to increase the diversity of the F1.

In a statement on Saturday morning, he said he had even more reach on and off the track.

“It’s hard to believe that we’ve been working with this amazing team for almost nine years, and I’m excited that we’ll continue our partnership for another two years,” Hamilton said. “We have achieved so much together, but we still have a lot to achieve both on and off track.

“I am incredibly proud and grateful for how Mercedes has supported me in our efforts to improve the diversity and equality of sport. They have held themselves accountable and made important strides to create a more diverse team and an inclusive environment.

“Thank you to all the dedicated and talented people at Mercedes whose hard work makes everything possible and to the government for their continued trust in me. We are entering a new era of cars that is challenging and exciting and I can’t wait to see what else we can achieve together.”

Wolff, who is a 33 percent shareholder in the Mercedes team and recently committed to remain team leader until the end of 2023, said he would be happy to keep Hamilton on the team as long as he is willing to stay.

“As we move into the new era of F1 from 2022 onwards, there can be no better driver on our team than Lewis. His accomplishments in this sport speak for themselves, and his experience, speed and competitive skills make him the pinnacle of his strength.

“We’ve enjoyed our hand this year – and that’s why we also wanted to agree on this deal early, so we don’t have any disruption to the race on the track. I’ve always said that as long as Lewis still has a race, he can go on as long as he wants.”

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added: “This is fantastic news for Formula 1 and I am delighted that Lewis will remain in F1 for at least another two years.

“What he’s achieved in this sport is incredible, and I know he’s getting more. He’s a global superstar on and off the racetrack, and his positive impact on Formula 1 is huge.”