Hamilton signs new deal

World champion Lewis Hamilton has penned a new three-year contract with Mercedes.

The 30-year-old’s current deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but he has confirmed that he will remain with the team until 2018.

Hamilton negotiated the contract himself and was frustrated with how long the talks took to conclude.

However, it is understood that he will earn up to £27m per-year, which makes him the second highest paid driver on the grid behind Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton said: "Mercedes is my home and I couldn't be happier to be staying here for another three years.

"This is a company filled with real passionate racers, from the board room to the factory floor, and an incredible hunger to win.

"Even after the success of last year, that hunger is greater than ever - and it's the same for me, too.

"The Mercedes car I am driving right now is the best I have ever had in my career; it's just so much fun to be out there every weekend, on the limit and fighting to win at every track.

"Mercedes-Benz began supporting me in 1998, so I am very proud this contract means I will mark 20 years with Mercedes in 2018."

Hamilton joined the team in 2013 after six years at McLaren. He won his first world championship in 2008, and backed that up with a second last season.

He currently leads this year’s drivers’ standings from Nico Rosberg.

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