Seven time Formula one world champion Lewis Hamilton has signed a one year contract with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, the F1 team officially announced it on Monday.
The news was revealed via a statement on Mercedes-AMG’s official website.
“The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is pleased to announce that the reigning Formula One World Constructors’ Champion and the reigning F1 World Drivers’ Champion will continue together in 2021. The Mercedes works team and Lewis agreed a new contract which will see one of the sport’s most successful ever collaborations continue for a ninth consecutive season.”
The team asserts that the new deal will push for “greater diversity and inclusion” in the world of motorsports and also mentions of a “joint charitable foundation” along with Lewis Hamilton, who himself has been vocal about diversity in all aspects and has been a prominent figure in the worldwide Black Lives Matter movement.
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“Determined to make motorsport more diverse”, says Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton finished the 2020 season with 347 points, winning his record seventh world championship, a feat which the British driver shares with F1 legend Michael Schumacher. The Mercedes team, on the other hand, won its seventh Constructors’ Championship.
“I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates,” Hamilton was quoted on the team website regarding his new contract. “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 am 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 am inspired by all that we can build together and can’t wait to get back on the track in March,” the 36 year old added.
Hamilton made his Formula One debut back in 2007 with McLaren, a year before he won his first championship in 2008. In 2013, he switched sides with Mercedes and has won the rest of his six world championships with the team, along with a total of 74 race wins.
The 2021 F1 season is scheduled to kick off on 28th March with the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
