Formula One news

McLaren extends Hamilton contract until 2012

The McLaren Formula 1 team announced on Friday afternoon that it came to an agreement with last year's runner-up in the F1 championship Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton's new agreement with the Woking based team will run until the end of the 2012 season.

After a stunning first season in Formula 1 the McLaren team rushed into extending Hamilton's contract. As Hamilton entered the sport last season as McLaren's new driver he had a contract running until the end of the 2008 season. Hamilton now extends his contract with an extra five years.

Speaking about his extended contract Hamilton said: "It's fantastic for me that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has extended my contract until 2012. Whilst last year was my first year with the team in Formula 1, 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 1 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. I am enjoying working closely with Heikki, Pedro, Gary and the team as we push hard with the development of the MP4-23. We have 57 days to go until the lights go out on the grid at Albert Park and we are motivated to make the most of this time and arrive in Melbourne with a competitive car."

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