It’s been 84 years…
Alright, that might be a slight exaggeration, but it certainly feels like we’ve been waiting that long for Lewis Hamilton to sign his Mercedes contract. However, an agreement has finally been made, and the seven-time world champion will grace us with his presence for 2021 with Mercedes.
It’s been the question on everybody’s lips since – well, probably the start of the 2020 season.
Will he equal Michael Schumacher’s seven titles and then leave the sport?
Will he continue to race with Mercedes until he’s old and grey?
Will he leave with Toto Wolff and join another team?
There was even a suggestion that Hamilton wanted to wait until after winning the 2020 drivers’ title to dedicate all his focus on contract negotiations. Rumours have circulated again and again, but now finally we have clarification to quash all the gossip.
Lewis Hamilton will race for Mercedes in 2021 after signing a single-year contract.
There’s been lots of speculation and chatter as to why it took so long.
Did Hamilton want more money? Was he searching for more freedom to explore his other ventures like fashion, music and Extreme E? Have Mercedes got all they needed from Hamilton?
“We have always been aligned with Lewis that we would continue, but the very unusual year we had in 2020 meant it took some time to finish the process,” Team Boss Toto Wolff said in a statement.
“Together, we have decided to extend the sporting relationship for another season and to begin a longer-term project to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport.”
✍️ #AnnounceLewis pic.twitter.com/EFoDLGLDIl
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 8, 2021
As for Hamilton himself, he is looking forward to his ninth season with the Mercedes team:
“Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track.
“I’m equally determined to continue the journey we started to make motorsport more diverse for future generations and I’m grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address this issue. I’m proud to say we are taking that effort further this year by launching a foundation dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the sport.
“I’m inspired by all that we can build together and can’t wait to get back on the track in March.”
We’re just happy to have Lewis Hamilton back in the paddock for another year.
Are you glad Hamilton is returning for another year?
