Hamilton signs five year McLaren deal

Lewis Hamilton today signed a new five year contract with McLaren which commits him to the team until 2012.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a stunning first season in Formula One last year, leading the drivers’ championship for much of the season before ultimately finishing second to Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton has now made a long-term commitment to the McLaren team, who were heavily fined last year for their involvement in the F1 ‘spy row’.

The new deal underlines the relationship between Hamilton and a team he has been associated with since an early age.

Hamilton, who turned 23 just 11 days ago, said: “It’s fantastic for me the team has extended my contract until 2012.

“Whilst last year was my first year with the team in Formula One, I have been connected to McLaren and Mercedes-Benz since 1998 and feel that I could easily drive for this team for the whole of my Formula One career.

“I am with the right team to compete for race wins and both the drivers’ and constructors’ world championships in the future.

“We will have a lot of challenges ahead, but I am 100% positive I am with the people to take them on.

“The first of those challenges is the 2008 season. We have 57 days to go until the lights go out on the grid at Albert Park (for the Australian Grand Prix).

“We are motivated to make the most of this time and arrive in Melbourne with a competitive car.”

Hamilton's dad Anthony is also his manager, and so negotiated a deal that will make his son one of the wealthiest sports star in the country.

It is also one of the longest contracts in Formula One history, leading Anthony to comment: “Lewis and I have always been of the belief the people who make up the team and business of Vodafone, McLaren and Mercedes-Benz can provide the best opportunity for his career in the long term.

“It is an amazing thing to have been signed by McLaren and Mercedes-Benz back in 1998 at the age of 13 and to be given an opportunity to achieve a better life than one would ever have dreamed could happen.

“It is also a fantastic feeling to have put all our faith and belief into the team, and here we are today in a great partnership and our relationship even stronger.”