Lewis Hamilton Re-Signs With Mercedes-AMG F1 for the 2021 season is the big news coming out of the Formula One world today. The Brit seemed to be in protracted negotiations with Mercedes-AMG F1 regarding a new deal for the upcoming season. Today the parties involved came to an agreement (or compromise) and a new deal was inked.

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PR stunt?

It seemed like the most bizarre PR stunt as far as driver signings go. Lewis Hamilton had exited the 2020 F1 season as champion but with no contract for a drive in 2021. Many insiders were of the opinion that Hamilton had signed a deal ages ago but that Mercedes-AMG F1 was milking the F1 PR machine by keeping fans on tenterhooks.


More column inches were dedicated to this “saga” than any other piece of pre-season F1 info. Some even discussed the fact that Hamilton would pull a surprise retirement announcement and exit the arena on top as reigning champ. However, the 36-year old is a racer at heart and is on top of his game. Discussions with F1 insiders and DoubleApex.co.za staff revealed that Hamilton will not be satisfied until he can claim as many records as he can. See bottom of this post for some highlights. With that in mind he will no doubt be aiming for an 8th driver’s title to put him one clear of Michael Schumacher, both of whom have seven world driver’s championships.

Click here to read why one SA champ considers Hamilton the best F1 driver of all time.

In their own words

Lewis Hamilton: “I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates. 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.”

Toto Wolff, CEO & Team Principal: “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. 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 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.”

Highlights of F1 Records Held By Lewis Hamilton

Most wins in F1: 95

The only driver to win a race in every season in which he has competed in Formula 1. 

Most podium finishes 165 from 266 starts

Most wins at a single GP: 8 at Hungary (= with Schumacher at Magny Cours)

Most pole positions: 98

Most races finished in the points: 229 

Most F1 titles: 7 (= with Schumacher)

Most wins at different F1 circuits: 29