Lewis Hamilton signs £100m Merc F1 deal

Mercedes-AMG have ended months of speculation by confirming that Formula 1's leading man has committed to the team until the end of 2018.

Yep, Lewis Hamilton's new three-year deal with the Silver Arrows will make him the best paid driver in the sport, earning more than twice the sum teammate Nico Rosberg makes under an agreement signed in July 2014.

Hamilton said: "The Mercedes car I am driving right now is the best I have ever had in my career; it's just so much fun to be out there every weekend, on the limit and fighting to win at every track."

The Englishman also said he was "very proud" to sign a contract that will see him mark 20 years with the German team, who have been involved in his career in some capacity since 1998.

Lewis is already the richest sportsman in the UK with a personal fortune of £88m, topping fellow driver Jenson Button (£71m) and footballist Wayne Rooney (£72m) in the 2015 Sunday Times Sport Rich List.

The £100m figure is even more remarkable considering that Hamilton took on most of the negotiations himself, having parted from representatives XIX Entertainment late last year.

And as the Mercs continue to dominate, the Stevenage-born driver has a great opportunity to add multiple titles to the world championships he won in 2008 and 2014.

It's great to be #blessed, eh Lewis?