Lewis Hamilton has finally signed a new Mercedes contract worth an estimated £50m per season, committing to the Brackley team until the end of the 2025 season and putting an end to one of the more torturous sagas in the sport. Team mate George Russell has also signed a new deal for the next two seasons.

Hamilton, who will be 40 by the time his new contract expires, insisted he had “never been hungrier” as he chases what would be a record-breaking eighth drivers’ title. 

The 38 year-old is currently tied with Michael Schumacher on seven titles, although many feel he should already have his eighth, having lost out in cruel fashion in 2021 thanks to the incorrect application of F1’s rules by then race director Michael Masi at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton claimed after that race that his faith in the sport had been badly shaken, and he began last season in something of a funk with Mercedes producing a terrible car for the start of a new generation of F1 machines. 

Mercedes still lag significantly behind Red Bull on track, with Max Verstappen hunting a record 10th straight win in Monza this weekend as he closes in on his third straight championship. But Hamilton has rediscovered his appetite over the last 12 months. He has insisted all season that he would extend with Mercedes. The delay was understood to be over not only money but issues such as PR and sponsor commitments.

In a press release, Hamilton said his “story wasn’t finished” with Mercedes.

“We have never been hungrier to win,” said Hamilton who has won six of his seven titles and 82 of his 103 wins with the Brackley team. “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.”

George 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.”