Sir Lewis Hamilton, which last year equaled the historical record of seven F1 World titles from Michael sSchumacher, has renewed for one more season the contract that binds him to his squire, Mercedes, as announced this Monday.
The German squire, winner of the last seven Constructors’ World Cups in the queen category of motoring, released a statement on Monday in which Announces British Champion Remain Driver for Brackley’s Team for 2021.
#AnnounceLewispic.twitter.com/EFoDLGLDIl
? Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 8, 2021
It was the most anticipated announcement in F1. It has been slow to be fulfilled, but it has finally arrived. The one from Stevenage has won six of his seven titles with Mercedes(2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020). In addition to adding 74 victorias with the ‘silver arrows’ (last year and in 2021 they will be black for the fight against racism). And now he’s going to mark his ninth consecutive season with the star brand. In all these years, only the crown of 2016 escaped him, which was at the hands of his then partner, Nico Rosberg.
In broadening Hamilton’s bond with Mercedes, there is a commitment by both to achieve more diversity and inclusion, one of the British’s personal struggles and which will translate into the creation of a joint charitable foundation for this mission.
And what is most striking is that the agreement is only for one year. It seems that Toto Wolff and Mercedes have gotten away with it. It should be borne in mind that in 2022 there is a regulation change in F1. And what is evident is that the German squire was more suited to a short-term contract than a long one.
What is certain is that the signing of Hamilton’s contract extension has taken longer than expected. In fact, even a voice as authoritative as that of Bernie Ecclestone, former head of F1, dropped that “everything is pure theater for Lewis, in particular, to remain in the headlines during these monotonous weeks.” And of course that has been that the strategy of Mercedes have obtained a lot of information about it in the sports press.
Be that as it may, Hamilton racing with Valtteri Bottas as a partner for the fifth consecutive season. The Finn has so far not been able to beat a Lewis which is preparing thoroughly for the start of a championship that begins next March 28 in Bahrin.
Hamilton was happy to hear the news: “I am excited to play my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates. Our team has achieved incredible things and We look forward to further increasing our success as we continually seek to improve, both on and off the track.“.
He added: “I am also determined to continue the journey we started to bring more diversity in motorsports for future generations, and I am grateful that Mercedes has been very supportive of my request to address that issue. I am proud to say that we will take that effort further this year with the launch of a foundation dedicated to diversity and inclusion in sport.. I’m excited for all that we can build together and looking forward to getting back on track in March. “
For his part, Toto Wolff, head of the dominant team of the hybrid era, has specified: “We have always been aligned with Lewis in that we continue, but the very unusual year we had in 2020 meant that it took some time to finish the process. Together We have decided to extend the sports relationship for another season and begin a longer, long-term one to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport. Lewis’ competitive record stands alongside the best the sports world has ever seen, and he is a valuable ambassador for our brand and our partners.. The history of Mercedes and Lewis has been written in the history books of our sport for the past eight seasons, and we are eager to compete and add more chapters. “
