Mercedes will continue to field drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for at least the next two years, up to the end of 2025.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will continue to race for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team at least through the end of the 2025 season.
Hamilton, 38, has signed a new contract that will keep him in Formula One long until his 40th birthday and extend his time with the team to 13 years. Russell, who began racing for Mercedes in 2022, has additionally committed to a two-year contract extension.
The decision backs both Hamilton and team boss Toto Wolff’s claims that a new contract for the seven-time champion will come this year.
The latest development puts an end to a number of rumors over Lewis Hamilton’s future, including many that suggested he might retire and make a shock switch to the rival team Ferrari.
The Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff had been in discussions for a number of months. Although Wolff insisted that a new deal was likely but talks were “uncomfortable” between “two friends”.
“We dream every day of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal,” Hamilton, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to maintain a relationship with Mercedes following his retirement from the driving seat said.
“Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team.
“We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback.
“We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again.
“I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track.
“Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do.”
Hamilton has won six of his seven drivers’ titles with Mercedes, plus the Mercedes powertrain he used in 2008 to win his maiden championship with McLaren.
The new contract enables Hamilton to pursue a record-tying eighth world championship, which he and his team feel was taken from him at the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The previous FIA race director Michael Masi broke the rules by running a late-race safety car period, which caused Hamilton to lose to Max Verstappen who went on to win his maiden championship with Red Bull.
Russell has continually delivered strong performance against a formidable teammate, giving the impression that his future at Mercedes is more certain since making his team debut in 2022.
“I have grown up with this team ever since joining as part of the junior programme back in 2017,” Russell said. “It’s my home and it feels fantastic to extend our special relationship through 2025.
“After stepping up to the Mercedes race seat last year, I wanted to reward the trust and belief that Toto and the rest of the team placed in me.
“Taking my first pole position and race win last year was an unforgettable feeling.
“More importantly though, it’s been great to work with everybody at [the chassis base at] Brackley and [engine headquarters at] Brixworth to make progress with our car and push forward our development.
“Their loyalty, vision and hard work is inspiring.
“We have made some significant steps over the past 18 months and are only getting stronger as a team.
“I’m excited to help continue to build on that momentum as we progress into 2024 and 2025 and continue to focus on returning to the very front of the pack.”
Mercedes’ performance has declined so far in 2023. Despite being in second place in the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull, the current leaders who have benefited from Max Verstappen’s supremacy, remain ahead of them in terms of performance and results.
Since then, Red Bull has dominated the sport, making Mercedes less competitive.
