Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver agrees 40m-a-year deal until 2020 - F1 News

F1 News - Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver agrees £40m-a-year deal until 2020

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Lewis Hamilton clinched his fourth world title - and his third with Mercedes - at the Mexican Grand Prix in October

World champion Lewis Hamilton will race for Mercedes in Formula 1 for at least a further two seasons.

The 33-year-old Briton has signed a new contract with the German manufacturer that lasts until the end of 2020.

BBC Sport understands Hamilton will earn at least £30m a year, rising to a maximum of £40m, depending on bonuses.

Hamilton said a new contract had been "a formality" since he sat down with Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff to begin discussions last winter.

He said: "It's good to put pen to paper, announce it and then get on with business as usual.

There is not much about Lewis that hasn't been said already - he is one of the all-time greats and his track record speaks for itself

Toto WolffMercedes F1 boss

"I have been part of the Mercedes racing family for 20 years and I have never been happier inside a team than I am right now.

"We are on the same wavelength both on and off track - and I am looking forward to winning more in the future and shining even more light on the three-pointed star. I'm very confident that Mercedes is the right place to be over the coming years."

Mercedes have dominated F1 since the introduction of turbo hybrid engines in 2014, winning four consecutive drivers' and constructors' championship doubles.

Hamilton has won three of those titles, with the fourth going to former team-mate Nico Rosberg, who retired after becoming champion in 2016.

Hamilton is eight points behind Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in this year's championship before this weekend's German Grand Prix, which marks the halfway point of the season.

Hamilton added: "Although we have enjoyed so much success together since 2013, Mercedes is hungrier than ever.

"The competitive passion that burns bright inside me is shared by every single member of this group - always chasing the next improvement and digging even deeper to make sure we come out on top.

"I can't wait to see what we can achieve together in the next two and a half seasons."

Wolff said: "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 1 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 1. I am very confident that we have some incredible chapters of our story together still to come."

Mercedes still have to confirm the identity of Hamilton's team-mate after this season, but Finn Valtteri Bottas is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

More to follow.

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via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6

July 19, 2018 at 05:03AM