Lewis Hamilton has signed a new deal to remain at Mercedes for the 2019 F1 season, the team has announced.

A new two-year deal was confirmed by the team on Thursday.

“This contract extension has basically been a formality since Toto [Wolff, wteam principal] and I sat down during the winter,” said Hamilton. “So it’s good to put pen to paper, announce it and then get on with business as usual.”

“I have been part of the Mercedes racing family for 20 years and I have never been happier inside a team than I am right now.

“We are on the same wavelength both on and off track – and I am looking forward to winning more in the future and shining even more light on the three-pointed star. I’m very confident that Mercedes is the right place to be over the coming years.

Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013 following a six-year spell at McLaren, during which time he won his first world championship. He has added a further three titles since then and won 44 races for the team.

“Although we have enjoyed so much success together since 2013, Mercedes is hungrier than ever – from Dr [Dieter] Zetsche and the board members at the top of Daimler, through Toto and the team management, to every single person I meet in the corridors of Brixworth and Brackley.

“The competitive passion that burns bright inside me is shared by every single member of this group – always chasing the next improvement and digging even deeper to make sure we come out on top. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in the next two-and-a-half seasons.”

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Wolff confirmed the team and Hamilton “signed the final documents this week and didn’t want to keep people waiting any longer”.

The 33-year-old is the most successful driver in F1 today, with 65 victories to his name, more than any driver in history bar Michael Schumacher.

“There is not much about Lewis as a Formula One driver that hasn’t been said already – he is one of the all-time greats and his track record speaks for itself,” said Wolff.

“But what I enjoy most about working with him is getting to know the man inside the racing helmet: his relentless drive for self-improvement, his emotional intelligence as a team member and his loyalty to those around him.

“Mercedes has become Lewis’ home in Formula One and his story is linked forever with the silver and green of Mercedes-AMG Petronas. I am very confident that we have some incredible chapters of our story together still to come.”

View the current list of 2019 F1 drivers and teams

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2018 F1 season