Hamilton commits to McLaren

Updated 14.50 Fri Jan 18 2008
Keywords: motorsport, Formula One, Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has 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.

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

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

He said: "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 per cent positive I am with the people to take them on."

The 2008 season starts in less than two months with the curtain raiser at Albert Park, Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix.

"We have 57 days to go until the lights go out on the grid. We are motivated to make the most of this time and arrive in Melbourne with a competitive car," Lewis added.

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