Lewis Hamilton and George Russell sign new two-year Mercedes contracts - ‘We have never been hungrier’
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 31/08/2023 at 13:28 GMT
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have both committed their future to Mercedes after signing new two-year deals. Hamilton is still chasing a record eighth world title after falling short of the dominant Red Bull and Max Verstappen in recent years. Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff said: “Continuing with our current driver line-up was a straightforward decision. We have the strongest pairing on the grid."
Two brits on podium - Norris and Hamilton join Verstappen at British GP
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have both signed new contracts with Mercedes for the next two years.
The new contract will increase Hamilton’s stay with Mercedes to 13 years, while Russell has also put pen to paper on the dotted line and extends his spell with the team until 2025 at the earliest.
Hamilton's new deal means that his quest for a record eighth world drivers' championship will continue, after falling behind Red Bull and Max Verstappen in the past couple of years.
Speaking to the team website, Hamilton said: “We dream everyday of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal. Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team.
"We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams; we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again. I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do."
Meanwhile, it is also a proud day for Russell after initially joining Mercedes in 2017 and rose through the team's junior programme.
He would work his way up to F1 and was promoted to partner Hamilton last year, when he won his first Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.
Russell added: “I have grown up with this team ever since joining as part of the Junior programme back in 2017. It’s my home and it feels fantastic to extend our special relationship through 2025.
“After stepping up to the Mercedes race seat last year, I wanted to reward the trust and belief that Toto and the rest of the team placed in me. Taking my first pole position and race win last year was an unforgettable feeling. More importantly though, it’s been great to work with everybody at Brackley and Brixworth to make progress with our car and push forward our development. Their loyalty, vision and hard work is inspiring.
“We have made some significant steps over the last 18 months and are only getting stronger as a team. I’m excited to help continue to build on that momentum as we progress into 2024 and 2025 as we continue to focus on returning to the very front of the pack.”
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement