George Russell breaks silence on ‘exciting’ news about Lewis Hamilton

George Russell has insisted that he will be ‘excited’ if Lewis Hamilton extends his current deal at Mercedes over the coming months to keep him at the team on a long-term basis. The 37-year-old is only tied down until the end of 2023 as things stand but has been widely tipped to agree a new contract in the not-too-distant future as he eyes a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship title before his eventual retirement.Hamilton is the second-oldest driver on the grid but has consistently said that he wants to remain in F1 for many years to come and outlined his desire to sign new terms at Mercedes earlier this week. Russell was quizzed on the topic at the Mexican Grand Prix on Thursday and insisted that he would be delighted for Hamilton to secure his long-term future with the Silver Arrows before his current deal runs out.”It’s really exciting to have that potential of Lewis staying on for a number of years to come,” said Russell. “I think he’s proven that he’s definitely not lifted his foot off the throttle pedal and in the last few races, he’s performing probably better than ever.”It’s really exciting for me to be his teammate and to go directly head-to-head with him, and grow on this journey we are on together because it really does feel like a journey that the two of us are on along with the rest of the team in trying to bring Mercedes back to winning ways.JUST IN: Max Verstappen has new Red Bull target but refuses to make change George Russell wants to see Lewis Hamilton extend his stay at Mercedes (Image: GETTY)”We’ve got a really great relationship, a transparent relationship. It would be good to be teammates for a number of years to come.”Preliminary talks between Mercedes and Hamilton are already said to be underway behind the scenes with a view to extending the two-year contract he signed in the middle of last season. The seven-time champion revealed earlier this week that he is planning to sit down for additional discussions in the near future as he looks to ensure his place at the team for at least the next few seasons.DON’T MISSLewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen given news they’ll both loveMercedes forced into awkward Red Bull and De Vries Mexico GP situationLewis Hamilton ‘turns the tide’ on Russell to avoid Verstappen repeat The 37-year-old is only tied down until the end of next season as things stand (Image: EXPRESS)”We are going to do another deal,” Hamilton told Motorsport.com. “We’re going to sit down and we’re going to discuss it in these next couple of months, I would say. My goal is to continue to be with Mercedes.”I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13 and they really are my family. They’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. They’ve stuck with me through my mistakes, and s*** that’s been in the press. I believe in the people that are within the organisation.”I want to be the best teammate I can be to them, because I think we can make the brand even better, more accessible, even stronger than it is. And I think I can be an integral part of that.”Follow our new Express Sport page on Instagram here.