LEWIS HAMILTON has signed a one-year deal to remain at the Mercedes Formula One team until the end of 2021, putting an end to a lengthy negotiation period between team and driver.

Hamilton, who has driven for Mercedes since 2013 and won six of his seven titles with the team, had previously signed multiyear deals with the world champions but on this occasion has committed to only one more year.

Negotiations over his new contract started in December last year and have been the source of extensive speculation as they have dragged out over the past two months.

Although the new deal is shorter than Hamilton’s previous Mercedes contracts, it includes the launch of a joint charitable foundation aimed at supporting greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the foundation was the start of a “longer-term project” based on a shared commitment to improving diversity in the sport.

Hamilton, the only Black driver in F1, has been outspoken about the sport’s lack of diversity and last year set up a commission aimed at increasing the representation of Black people in U.K. motorsport.

“I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates,” Hamilton said in a Mercedes statement. “Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track.

“I’m equally determined to continue the journey we started to make motorsport more diverse for future generations, and I am grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address this issue.”(SD-Agencies)