Hamilton warns he has 'unfinished business' after extending contract at Mercedes

Hamilton’s current contract was to expire at the end of this season. The new deal, which is worth a reported 50 million pounds ($63.4 million), will s
...
Mercedes F1 team has extended the contracts of its two drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for two more seasons.
Mercedes F1 team has extended the contracts of its two drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for two more seasons.

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton warned his rivals he had “unfinished business" after extending his contract at Mercedes. Hamilton and teammate George Russell penned new deals through to the end of the 2025 season.

“You’re all stuck with me for a little longer," Hamilton said with a smile on Thursday at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. “Honestly, I couldn’t be happier to be extending with this team.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Triumph Te-1 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon15 kWh Range Icon160 Km
₹ 15 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Essel Energy Get 1 (HT Auto photo)
Range Icon 50 km/charge
₹ 37,500 - 39,500
Compare
View Offers
Mercedes-benz Eqe (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon90.56 kWh Range Icon550 Km
₹ 1.39 Cr
Compare
Mercedes-benz Gls (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2999 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 1.32 - 1.37 Cr
Compare
View Offers
Mercedes-benz Eqa (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon66.5 kWh Range Icon426 Km
₹ 60 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Mercedes-benz Eqs (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon107.8 kwh Range Icon580 km
₹ 1.55 Cr
Compare

“We’ve had such an incredible journey together. Mercedes have supported me since I was 13, such a long trip, and we still have unfinished business. We’re in this together, we’ve got a lot of work to do to get us back to the front but there’s no place I’d rather be."

Hamilton’s current contract was to expire at the end of this season. The new deal, which is worth a reported 50 million pounds ($63.4 million), will see him racing past his 40th birthday.

“I definitely didn’t think I would be at the age that I am and feel the way that I do physically and mentally and still love what I’m doing as much as I do," the 38-year-old Hamilton said. “That’s something I’m incredibly grateful for.

“For me, it’s a journey of love, still to have that love, still loving the car, still love racing with my peers … chasing that goal and dream. I love that feeling when you have those together. There’s nothing like it."

Thursday’s news ended speculation he would leave Mercedes at the end of the season, amid reports he was being courted by Ferrari. Despite the difficulties of the past two seasons, he said he was never in doubt as to where his future lay.

Hamilton has been at Mercedes since 2013 and won six of his seven world titles with the team. But he has had a relatively poor past two years, since Max Verstappen controversially pipped him to the F1 title on the last lap of the 2021 season.

Hamilton and Mercedes have been playing catchup ever since.

Verstappen comes into this weekend chasing a record-breaking 10th straight victory. Hamilton, who has a record 103 race wins, has not stepped foot on the top spot of the podium in two years.

“I’m not really a revenge person, it’s not about revenge, it’s not about redemption," Hamilton said. “That’s in the past, there’s nothing we can do about the past.

“What we can do is work harder … I truly believe that with this team we can win more championships and more races together. That’s where my energy is going."

Hamilton is fourth in the standings, 183 points behind runaway leader Verstappen, who has deposed the British driver as No. 1 in the series.

The duo have had a fierce and heated rivalry through the years but Verstappen is glad his adversary is sticking around.

“It’s good for the sport," Verstappen said. "With the battles, I mean, we just have to wait and see what happens between the teams. And how everyone is going to perform next year as well."

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date: 01 Sep 2023, 09:19 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.