Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. 31.08.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 15, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, Italy, Preparation Day.
Lewis Hamilton says having “unfinished business” in Formula 1 was the driving force behind his decision to sign a two-year contract extension with Mercedes.
It was announced ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix that Hamilton had agreed a new deal to stay at Mercedes alongside George Russell until the end of 2025.
Hamilton will prolong his hugely successful alliance with Mercedes that has witnessed the Briton become a seven-time World Champion and surpass 100 race victories.
However, the 38-year-old has not stood on the top step of an F1 podium since December 2021 amid Mercedes’ struggles to get on top of the current regulations.
Despite the German marque’s recent failure to provide him with a title-contending car, Hamilton asserts he was always certain about staying with the Mercedes team.
“You’re all stuck with me for a little bit longer,” he remarked. “I couldn’t be happier to be extending with this team. We’ve had such an incredible journey together.
“Mercedes have supported me since I was 13, a long trip and we still have unfinished business, so we are in this together. We’ve got a lot of work to do to get ourselves back to the front, but there’s no place I would rather be.”
When asked if there were any ever doubts about the decision to remain in the sport with Mercedes, Hamilton said: “No. I definitely wanted to continue.
“I mean, I think in life there’s always up and downs, like last year was a difficult year. I’m pretty sure everyone was questioning whether they wanted to continue because it’s tough at the top and it’s such a tough sport.
“But that feeling quickly goes away and you put your mind and your energy into being the best you can be and dealing with the situations that you’re faced with.
“I’m really proud of what we achieved last year to get through it. We started on the wrong foot this year, to have some really great results; we’re second in the Constructors’ Championship. The plan is to keep that and then close the gap to the guy ahead.”
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14 makes a pit stop. 27.08.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 14, Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort, Netherlands, Race Day.
Hamilton adds that his choice was also massively influenced by witnessing the processes ongoing behind the scenes to avoid Mercedes suffering a repeat of the problems it has encountered since last year.
The seven-time champion is convinced that Mercedes can return to the front of the F1 grid, citing that its key technical heads are working collectively “better than ever before”.
“It’s what you see. It’s not necessarily what someone says, it’s the work that you’re doing, it’s the meetings we’ve been having with all the engineers,” Hamilton explained.
“James Allison and the whole group back at the factory, the heads of all the departments coming together and talking and just really engaging better than ever before about where we are, the mistakes we’ve made, why we made those decisions, why we won’t make them again, and where we’re going.
“[It’s] having that confidence in each other that we are the best at what we do, and when we come together and, given time, we will get to where we need to be.”
Fernando Alonso, who departed F1 at the end of 2018 before returning in 2021, has praised Hamilton’s longevity, acknowledging his presence is a positive thing for the sport.
Asked if he was surprised his ex-McLaren adversary had continued through his career without taking a break, Alonso commented: “Yeah, absolutely. I think that shows his commitment, his love for racing, and as you said, he didn’t take a break, and yeah it’s good to have him [for two more years.
“He’s one of the greatest of all the sport and as long as he is still in Formula 1 I think it’s a benefit for the sport in general, and for everyone, so I hope he stays more than 2025.”
Keyword: Hamilton: ‘Unfinished business’ behind new Mercedes F1 deal