- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Mercedes have announced that reigning Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has signed a new three-year deal, extending his stay with the German marque until 2018.
While Hamilton’s salary was not published, various outlets are reporting the Briton will earn a base annual salary of $US31 million ($AU39.26 million), with bonuses which could see him earn in excess of $US40 million ($AU50.65 million).
Hamilton is presently leading the Formula One World Championship, 20 points ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg. The two have endured a tumultuous relationship, which led to suggestions Hamilton would leave Mercedes when his contract expired at year’s end.
This puts those rumours to bed, and with Rosberg contracted until the end of 2017, fans can look forward to plenty more intra-team fireworks in the years to come.
“Mercedes is my home and I couldn’t be happier to be staying here for another three years,” Hamilton said. “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.”
While Hamilton drove for McLaren from his debut in 2007 through until the end of the 2012 season, Mercedes were happy to point out that McLaren use Mercedes-Benz power, and thus take a little bit of credit for Hamilton’s 2008 world championship victory.
Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, said: “Continuity is one of the key factors for delivering success in Formula One and we now have that in place. 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.”
The next race on the Formula One calendar is this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, where Hamilton will be something of the underdog, Rosberg having won at the street circuit for the last two years running.
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.