The Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has announced that they have secured a new contract with their driver Lewis Hamilton for the 2016 to 2018 Formula 1 seasons inclusively.
Since making his Formula One debut with his former team McLaren in 2007, Hamilton has started every one of his 153 Grand Prix with Mercedes-Benz power. Presently, Hamilton’s track record with the German manufacturer includes 36 victories; with 15 of these victories so far were at the wheel of a works Mercedes F1 car.
Hamilton joined the Mercedes team in 2013 and won his first race for the team with a great performance in Hungary that year. In 2014, he claimed 11 race wins on his way to securing his second Formula 1 World Championship. By Hamilton winning the title for the team last season, this saw him become the first driver since Juan Manuel Fangio to win the World Championship in a works Mercedes-Benz.
At it stands, Hamilton currently leads the 2015 Formula 1 World Championship by 20 points from team-mate Nico Rosberg. He is confident that the Mercedes is the best car he has driven in his career so far and is happy to continue his association with the manufacturer.
“Mercedes is my home and I couldn’t be happier to be staying here for another three years,” said Hamilton. “This is a company filled with real passionate racers, from the board room to the factory floor, and an incredible hunger to win. Even after the success of last year, that hunger is greater than ever – and it’s the same for me, too.
“The Mercedes car I am driving right now is the best I have ever had in my career; it’s just so much fun to be out there every weekend, on the limit and fighting to win at every track. Mercedes-Benz began supporting me in 1998 so I am very proud that this contract means I will mark 20 years with Mercedes in 2018.”
Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Toto Wolff was also delighted to continue his working relationship with Hamilton, believing that this was the right decision for all parties involved. Wolff also states that Hamilton’s results speak for themselves and is looking forward to achieving the same levels of success in the near future together.
“Continuity is one of the key factors for delivering success in Formula One and we now have that in place,” said Wolff. “Lewis enjoyed an historic World Championship season with Mercedes-Benz last year and it was a priority for this season to renew his contract for the next term. We have taken the right amount of time with the process and not rushed ourselves.
“The result is a strong agreement that will enhance Lewis’ association with the Mercedes-Benz brand, and that recognises and respects the market value of Lewis and of Mercedes in Formula One. Lewis’ sporting track record speaks for itself and he is a great personality for the company. Personally, I am looking forward to continuing to race with the strongest driver pairing in Formula One and to more historic achievements together.”
