Hamilton extends contract thanks to Verstappen's title fight: 'Must go deep'

Last weekend Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes announced that they will stay together for the next few years. Reason for the early announcement is the exciting title battle between the Mercedes driver and Max Verstappen. Hamilton himself admits that Verstappen played an important role.

"At the start of the season, where all the cars were so close together, virtually equal, it was really one of the most enjoyable times I've had in a long time. To be able to fight with Red Bull," Hamilton explained to Motorsport.com. He himself would have preferred that ratio to stay the same, but things are different now.

Hamilton has had to work harder

"As I'm sure everyone has seen, they have taken a huge step forward". However, Hamilton is not giving up and partly because of that lead from Red Bull, Hamilton has become increasingly passionate about working harder. "Now that we have this duel, it did bring me closer to the team, closer to the engineers. I have to dig deeper now and I love that."

"I think I've found the love again for this sport and I've found the love again for what I do," Hamilton concluded.