Hamilton returns for two more years with Mercedes

It went much faster than last year! Mercedes announced this Saturday that Lewis Hamilton had renewed its lease with the German team for two additional seasons. The seven-time world champion will therefore play under the colors of the Etoile brand until at least 2023. These will be his 10th and 11th campaigns at Brackley (UK), and the Englishman will be 38 years old as he enters the final year of his new contract.

The news comes barely a week after Wolff and Hamilton confirmed the opening of negotiations between the two parties. Unlike last year, when discussions dragged on for months only to conclude last February, the process did not drag on this time. 

Hamilton will therefore be part of the major regulatory upheaval expected in 2022, which enthusiasts can only rejoice in. 

Present in the ranks of the Mercedes troops since the 2013 season, the Briton has 77 victories, 74 pole positions, and 6 Drivers' titles with the German manufacturer's factory structure. 

« I find it hard to believe that I have already been with this great team for nine years and I am very happy to continue the adventure with them for two more seasons., commented Hamilton. We've accomplished so much together and we have many peaks left to conquer, on and off the track. 

I am also very proud and grateful for the support provided by Mercedes in my promotion of diversity and equality in sport. I would like to thank all the talented and dedicated members of Mercedes who have allowed me to make the team more inclusive, as well as the members of the board of directors for their trust. 

We are on the verge of entering a new era which promises to be exciting and full of challenges. I can't wait to see what we can achieve together. ». 

Toto Wolff, team principal and CEO of the seven-time world champion team, is naturally delighted to be able to count on the services of a driver “ at the top of his game ».  

« As a new dawn breaks F1, there is no better possible driver for our team than Lewis, rejoices the Austrian manager. His track record speaks for itself, as does his experience, his speed, and his knowledge of racing. He is at the peak of his form. 

We are currently engaged in an intense fight for the world championship and we are enjoying it. That's why we wanted to settle this new contract early in the season, so that we no longer have this distraction in the background. I've always said that as long as Lewis has the fire, he can go on for as long as he wants. ». 

Now that one of the Mercedes seats is locked for the medium term, eyes will logically turn towards the other half of the German garage, currently occupied by Valtteri Bottas. Will the Finn continue to support Hamilton as he has done since 2017? Or will he have to step aside in favor of hopeful George Russell (Williams) ? Here too, negotiations could go faster than expected.