Finally, it’s official, Lewis Hamilton has been confirmed as a Mercedes driver for 2021.
While an extension of the partnership which has won six of the last seven Formula 1 championships was rarely in doubt, delays due to busy schedules and Covid-19 had led to great speculation since the turn of the year.
But on Monday, all the uncertainty was put to bed as Mercedes announced a one-year contract with Hamilton, confirming that deal also included a “joint commitment to greater diversity and inclusion”.
“I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates,” Hamilton commented.
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“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.”
Indeed, in 2021, Hamilton will continue his pursuit of history as he aims to move ahead of Michael Schumacher by claiming a record eighth world title.
This in addition to extending the all-time wins record he set last year, with 95 currently to his name.
For now, however, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was simply happy the wait for a deal is over.
“We have always been aligned with Lewis that we would continue, but the very unusual year we had in 2020 meant it took some time to finish the process,” he said.
“Together, we have decided to extend the sporting relationship for another season and to begin a longer-term project to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport.
“Lewis’s competitive record stands alongside the best the sports world has ever seen, and he is a valued ambassador for our brand and our partners,” the Austrian added.
“The story of Mercedes and Lewis has written itself into the history books of our sport over the past eight seasons, and we are hungry to compete and to add more chapters to it.”