Hamilton extended Mercedes by two years

The team announced this on Saturday in Spielberg as part of the Austrian Grand Prix. The current one-year contract of the seven-time world champion from England would have expired this year. “It is exciting that we are extending the partnership by two years. We have achieved a lot together, but there is still a lot to be achieved. On and off the slopes,” said the Briton (36).

Hamilton has been driving for the German carmaker since 2013 and will have worked for the works team for at least eleven years. At the beginning of this year, the winner of 98 Grand Prix races had only renewed his contract by one season. Hamilton now has the comprehensive rule changes in Formula 1 in mind in the coming year: “We are at the beginning of a new era of vehicles that will be challenging and exciting at the same time, and I can hardly wait to find out what else we have in common will achieve. ”

Hamilton has won six of his seven world titles for Mercedes and could become the first Formula 1 driver to become champion for the eighth time this season. Before the ninth of 23 races this Sunday (3 p.m. / ServusTV, ORF, Sky) in Austria, he is 18 points behind Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in second place in the overall standings.

“At the start of the new Formula 1 era from the 2022 season, I couldn’t wish for a better driver in the team than Lewis,” said Toto Wolff, Head of Motorsport at Mercedes: “His successes in this sport speak for themselves and with his experience, his Speed ​​and his racing intelligence he reached the peak of his performance. ”

While Hamilton ended speculation about his motorsport future, it is still unclear who his teammate will be in 2022. The contract of the Finn Valtteri Bottas expires at the end of the season and has not yet been renewed. One candidate is Williams driver George Russell.