Spielberg bei Knittelfeld (Austria) (AFP)

The adventure continues: the Briton Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion at 36, extended his contract with Mercedes for two seasons on Saturday, until 2023, to continue to mark the history of Formula 1.

Joint holder with the German Michael Schumacher of the world title record, Hamilton now has at least three years, counting 2021, to become the most sacred driver in F1 history.

At 36, he is currently second in the championship behind the young Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 23.

And this generational struggle is not about to end.

The announcement came in a press release ahead of qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, 9th round of the year: Mercedes "is delighted to announce a two-year extension of its partnership with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, to continue a relationship which has become the most successful between a driver and a team in the history of F1 ".

"We have accomplished so much together, but we still have a lot to do, both on and off the track," said the Briton, referring to his commitment to more diversity in his sport.

- 98 wins, 100 pole positions -

Since 2013 at Mercedes, Hamilton has pushed the limits of his discipline by winning, admittedly in a single-seater incontestably superior to the rest of the field, six world titles from 2014 to 2020, only beaten in 2016 by ... his teammate at the time, Nico Rosberg.

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Arrived in F1 in 2007 with McLaren, the native of Stevenage, north London, had been world champion for the first time with the British team of his beginnings in 2008. He was 23 years old.

Sir Lewis, recently ennobled in the United Kingdom, now holds the records for Grand Prix victories (98), pole positions (100) and podiums (171).

In 2022, it will see the entry into force of new regulations and new cars, presented as a revolution by Formula 1.

“We are entering a new automotive era that will be both challenging and exciting,” said Hamilton.

For Toto Wolff, CEO and Team Principal of the Mercedes team, "there can be no better driver to have in our team than Lewis" for this new era.

"His achievements in the sport speak for themselves, and with his experience, speed and running skills he is at the peak of his ability," continued the Austrian boss.

- "World Superstar" -

F1 president Stefano Domenicali also praised "fantastic news for Formula 1".

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"He is a world superstar on and off the track and his positive impact on Formula 1 is huge," he said.

The first black driver in the history of the premier class of motorsport, the Mercedes star has regularly spoken of the racism he has been confronted with.

After the death of George Floyd, victim of a police blunder in the United States in 2020, the fight against racism has become his main fight outside of the race.

Hamilton said he was "proud and grateful" for Mercedes' support in their drive to "improve diversity and equality in our sport".

When he signed his contract, late for the 2021 season in February, Hamilton had announced the creation in partnership with Mercedes of a foundation to help more diversity in motorsport.

Previously, he had also shown himself as an animal and environmental defender, not without arousing irony - for a racing driver who travels all over the world.

On the track, it remains to be seen who will be his teammate next year at Mercedes.

The one who has held this role since 2017, without succeeding in defeating him, the Finnish Valtteri Bottas?

Or another pilot, like the young Briton of 23 years George Russell, approached?

If the two men congratulated him on social media on Saturday morning, one thing is certain: the N.1 will remain Hamilton.

© 2021 AFP