Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner believes Lewis Hamilton's contract extension with Mercedes is good for F1. Mercedes announced ahead of the Italian Grand Prix that Hamilton, alongside teammate George Russell, will remain at the squad until at least the end of the 2025 campaign. Hamilton has endured two years competing away from the front of the grid, with his last title opportunity coming in 2021, where he lost the title in dramatic and controversial circumstances to Red Bull's Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. Hamilton stated that “revenge” is not part of his motive to remain in the sport as he aims to guide Mercedes back to the front of the field.
Hamilton's extension 'great for F1'
Despite the intense rivalry that was formed between Red Bull and Mercedes during the 2021 campaign, Horner has asserted pleasure in seeing Hamilton’s contract extension. “I think it's great that he’s extended,” Horner told media including RacingNews365.com . “He’s a big name in Formula 1. He's a global name throughout sports and obviously, he’s the most successful driver in Formula 1’s history, so for him to be extending that relationship, I think, is good news for the sport. “It's always great to race against him. He’s fit and motivated.” Hamilton is set to be 40 years of age when his new contract with the team expires in just over two years’ time. However, Horner believes that Fernando Alonso, who is still competing at 42, is raising the expectation for retirement age. “I think Fernando is setting a new bar for what the age limit is in Formula 1,” he said. “It just shows that age is no barrier if you have the motivation, commitment and passion to do it.”
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