The wait is finally over. After weeks of speculations and Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff saying how it’s just down to the fine details, the seven-time champion’s contract extension with Mercedes is finally confirmed. During the entire contract negotiation period, it became clear that both parties were equally interested in continuing their partnership. The only thing that was standing in the way was the duration of the contract, and Mercedes has confirmed Hamilton will stay at Brackley until 2025. Not just that. Along with the extending partnership, Hamilton has retaken his spot at the front as the highest-paid driver on the grid!

Who did he reclaim that spot from? Max Verstappen. When the reigning world champion signed an enormous deal with Red Bull last season to stay at Milton Keynes until the end of 2028, he was reported to receive a staggering $55 million a year. But now, Hamilton, who’s worth a whopping $285 million, has made his Mercedes deal just as extravagant, putting Verstappen’s deal to shame. As reported by the Mirror, “If [Hamilton’s] loyalty to the team was not enough, then the financial terms of his new Mercedes deal made it so that no one could compete for the 38-year-old’s signature.” With Ferrari having shown interest in him previously, even the most resourceful team in F1 wouldn’t be able to get Hamilton on its side now.

As per reports, Hamilton is set to make 50 million pounds per season for the next two seasons, which converts to a mammoth $63 million. Looks like Mercedes wasn’t joking when Ferrari offered the seven-time champion a $49 million deal, as Mercedes has topped that offered with this $63 million deal.

Read More: Minutes After Signing New Mercedes Deal, Lewis Hamilton Breaks Silence for the 1st Time to Reveal Long-Term Objectives

Although Mercedes and Hamilton have been finding it increasingly difficult to compete with Red Bull and Verstappen on track for the past two seasons, the Brackley team seems to have beaten Red Bull on the contract negotiation table. Now that Hamilton has reclaimed his spot at the top of the list of highest-paid drivers, Mercedes aims to get back to the front on track as well. And the seven-time champion sent a warning shot that’ll have warning bells ringing at Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton & Co. are coming for Red Bull

When Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013, the team was only starting to find its groove, after which it dominated the sport for seven years—from 2014 to 2021. Evidently, they’ve become a formidable duo in the past decade, but when the 2022 regulations came into effect, they seemed to have dropped the ball. As the Brackley team has been fighting to get back to the front, Red Bull has been a cut above the rest, setting the marker for everyone else. It looks like Mercedes has had enough, though, because, with Hamilton and George Russell firmly in its seats till 2025, it’s sent a warning shot to Red Bull.

When Mercedes posted the contract update on social media, it wrote, “Still We Rise,” a saying Hamilton lives by. Shortly after, Hamilton posted the update on Instagram—a picture of him in his Mercedes racing suit—captioning it, “Our story isn’t finished.” This isn’t just a testament to their continuing, strong partnership. It’s a testament to the belief and trust the two parties have in each other and that they’re ready to give it their all to get back in front. 

Trending

Lando Norris Fires 3-Word Warning to Zak Brown and Co Despite Riding High on Miami Win

Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas Fall Prey to Theft Right Before Ayrton Senna Tribute

Lando Norris’ Rumored GF Magui Corceiro Joins Norris Family Member as Brit Sets Stellar Performance in Imola

Christian Horner Indirectly Warns Sergio Perez After McLaren Nearly Ends Max Verstappen’s Dominance in Imola

Red Bull Insider Delivers Bad News to Frederic Vasseur as He Reveals Big “Advantage” Over Ferrari

Watch This Story: How 10-year-old friendship between Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff is coming in the way of $35 million worth contract renewal

Do you think the Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes partnership can challenge Red Bull from 2024 onwards?