Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have officially extended their contracts with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, much to the delight of Formula One fans worldwide. These exciting developments ensure that this dynamic driver duo will be on the Mercedes roster for at least the next two years.
Hamilton, 38, has signed a new contract that extends his illustrious association with Mercedes to an impressive 13 years, ensuring that he remains an active Formula 1 driver well past his 40th birthday. Meanwhile, George Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2022, has agreed to a two-year contract extension.
This move not only demonstrates Mercedes’ commitment to its star drivers, but also demonstrates the unwavering support of both Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ Team Principal, Toto Wolff, who had repeatedly hinted at the impending contract extension throughout the current season.
This contract extension gives Lewis Hamilton the opportunity to pursue an unprecedented eighth World Drivers’ Championship title. Both Hamilton and the Mercedes team are adamant that victory was unjustly denied them at the contentious 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Hamilton narrowly lost the championship to Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, owing in large part to controversial late-race safety car decisions made by former FIA Race Director Michael Masi.
Mercedes has since faced a formidable challenge from Red Bull Racing, which has established dominance in the sport. Hamilton’s desire to win another championship and continue his career with Mercedes is unwavering. He has frequently stated his desire to maintain a close relationship with the team long after he has retired from the cockpit. “We dream every day of being the best and have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal,” Hamilton said of the renewal.
“Being at the top does not happen overnight or in a short period of time; it requires commitment, hard work, and dedication,” he added. It has been an honour to go down in history with this incredible team. We have never been more determined to win.”
Six of Lewis Hamilton’s seven Drivers’ Championships have been won with Mercedes, with his first championship with McLaren in 2008 powered by Mercedes engines.
George Russell, 25, continues to emerge as a promising Formula 1 talent. He has been a member of the Mercedes junior programme since 2017, and his journey has now come full circle with the extension of his contract until 2025. Russell’s promotion to the Mercedes race seat in 2022 was a watershed moment in his career, and he is eager to repay Toto Wolff and the rest of the team’s faith in him.
Russell reflected on his accomplishments, saying, “Taking my first pole position and race win last year was an unforgettable feeling.” More importantly, it is been a pleasure to collaborate with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth to make progress with our car and advance our development.”
He emphasised the Mercedes team’s dedication and loyalty, saying, “Their loyalty, vision, and hard work are inspiring.” We have made some significant strides over the past 18 months and are only getting stronger as a team.”
“I am 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,” Russell said of the coming years.
Mercedes reinforces its commitment to excellence in Formula One with the contract extensions of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, paving the way for an exciting period of competition, innovation, and teamwork. Fans around the world are eager to see this formidable duo’s continued success and relentless pursuit of victory on the Formula 1 circuit.
Main Image: GPblog
The post Lewis Hamilton and George Russell: Mercedes Drivers Sign Contract Extensions appeared first on Entertainment SA - South African Entertainment News, Celebrity and Lifestyle Online Magazine & Entertainment.
Post a Comment