Hamilton extends Mercedes F1 contract until 2025

Hamilton’s contract with the team he has competed in since 2013 was due to expire at the end of this year, but it had long been expected that he would complete the extension.

It is understood Russell has already been contracted to race for Mercedes until the end of the 2024 season as part of the long-term deal he signed to join the team again in 2021, but the announcement made on Thursday at the 2023 Italian Grand Prix extends that deal for an additional season.

“We dream every day of being the best, and we’ve dedicated the past decade together to that goal,” said Hamilton.

“Getting to the top doesn’t happen overnight or in a short period of time. It takes commitment, hard work and dedication, and it was an honor to make our way into the history books with this amazing team.

“We have never been more hungry to win. We have learned from every success but also from every setback.

“We keep chasing our dreams, we keep fighting no matter the challenge and we will win again. I am thankful for the team that supported me on and off the track.

“Our story is not over yet, we are determined to achieve more together and we will not stop until we do.”

“I have grown up with this team since joining as part of the junior program in 2017,” Russell said.

“It is my home and it is great to extend our special relationship until 2025.

“After stepping into the racing seat at Mercedes last year, I wanted to reward the trust and faith that Toto (Wolff, team principal) and the rest of the team have placed in me.”

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG and George Russell, Mercedes-AMG

Photography: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Pictures

Hamilton’s contract extension has been in the works for a long time in 2023, but speculation about when it will finally be announced or if a sudden switch to another team – such as rumors that Ferrari were considering bidding for him before this year’s Monaco GP – is possible. The works must have started construction.

This was heightened after Toto Wolff’s assurance at a conference in New York ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix that Hamilton’s new deal would be announced in “days” never came to fruition, but team insiders have always maintained that the delay was due to legal wrangling typical of the contract. .

“Continuing with the current driver line-up was a straightforward decision,” Wolff said.

“We have the strongest pair on the grid and both drivers play a crucial role in the team to push us forward.

“The strength and stability it provides will be the building blocks of our future success.

“Our partnership with Lewis is one of the most successful in the history of the sport.

“It has always been a formality that we will continue together, and it is exciting for all of us to confirm this publicly.

“His qualities as a racing driver are evident through his impressive track record, but over the years we have spent together he has developed into a pillar and leader of our team.

“These leadership qualities are crucial as we focus on fighting for the World Championship again.

“As the biggest global star in Formula 1, he has also played a key role in shaping our commitments to diversity, inclusion and sustainability, which will be the foundations of our success in the years to come.

“George is the leading light of his generation. He has resonated with the confidence we have shown in him when we promoted him to the racing seat in 2022.

“His first pole position in Hungary and his first victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix were defining moments of last season.

“As a driver, he combines blistering speed with the tenacity of a true fighter. But he also has the intelligence and attention to detail that will help him keep growing, developing and improving even further.

“He is a natural fit for the team and we are delighted to extend the relationship for years to come.”

The announcement means that Hamilton and Russell will be paired up as Mercedes teammates for at least four seasons after the latter replaced Valtteri Bottas in 2022.

It also ends any official hope of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc joining Mercedes when his current contract with Scuderia expires at the end of 2024.