Lewis Hamilton has signed a one-year deal to remain at the Mercedes Formula One team until the end of 2021, putting an end to a lengthy negotiation period between team and driver.
Hamilton, who has driven for Mercedes since 2013 and won six of his seven titles with the team, had previously signed multi-year deals with the world champions but on this occasion has only committed to one more year.
Negotiations over his new contract started in December last year and have been the source of extensive speculation as they have dragged out over the past two months.
Although the new deal is shorter than Hamilton’s previous Mercedes contracts, it includes the launch of a joint charitable foundation aimed at supporting greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the foundation was the start of a “longer-term project” based on a shared commitment to improving diversity in the sport.