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    Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to continue 'making history'

    By Matias Grez

    Updated 1225 GMT (2025 HKT) May 20, 2015

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    Can Mercedes' world champion Lewis Hamilton ever be more than a star in a car?
    Photos: From F1 champ to global star
    Can Mercedes' world champion Lewis Hamilton ever be more than a star in a car?
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    The double world champion (second left) has boosted his mainstream celebrity status by mixing with personalities such as Jared Leto (left), Kanye West (center) and Kim Kardashian (right) at events such as Paris Fashion Week.
    Photos: From F1 champ to global star
    The double world champion (second left) has boosted his mainstream celebrity status by mixing with personalities such as Jared Leto (left), Kanye West (center) and Kim Kardashian (right) at events such as Paris Fashion Week.
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    "Lewis is starting to transcend beyond the traditional F1 audience into the mainstream," says Jon Stainer of Repucom, global leaders in sports and entertainment marketing research. Attending awards ceremonies, as Hamilton did during the post-season, helps maintain that appeal.
    Photos: From F1 champ to global star
    "Lewis is starting to transcend beyond the traditional F1 audience into the mainstream," says Jon Stainer of Repucom, global leaders in sports and entertainment marketing research. Attending awards ceremonies, as Hamilton did during the post-season, helps maintain that appeal.
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    Dramas in his day job have also helped Hamilton to stay in the headlines. At the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix, his title rival and teammate Nico Rosberg collided with the British racer, sparking a row.
    Photos: From F1 champ to global star
    Dramas in his day job have also helped Hamilton to stay in the headlines. At the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix, his title rival and teammate Nico Rosberg collided with the British racer, sparking a row.
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    From track to telethon: Increasing charity and community work is one way to boost public profile. Here Hamilton mans the phones at an annual BGC Partners fundraiser.
    Photos: From F1 champ to global star
    From track to telethon: Increasing charity and community work is one way to boost public profile. Here Hamilton mans the phones at an annual BGC Partners fundraiser.
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    "The reason Lewis is so popular is because he spends a lot of time on social media, he reaches out to his fans and he wears his heart on his sleeve," says Hamilton fan Christopher Thomas, seen talking to his hero at the 2014 U.S. Grand Prix.
    Photos: From F1 champ to global star
    "The reason Lewis is so popular is because he spends a lot of time on social media, he reaches out to his fans and he wears his heart on his sleeve," says Hamilton fan Christopher Thomas, seen talking to his hero at the 2014 U.S. Grand Prix.
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    Will winning a third world title with Mercedes in 2015 help propel the British driver into superstar status?
    Photos: From F1 champ to global star
    Will winning a third world title with Mercedes in 2015 help propel the British driver into superstar status?
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    lewis carlewis celebslewis awardsmercedes spa clashlewis telethonlewis christopher fanlewis hamilton F1

    (CNN)World champion and man to beat this season in Formula One, Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team sent out a warning to their rivals Wednesday that they intend to keep "making history."

    In March, Hamilton said a new deal was "99.6" done, but as the weeks and months went by and the contract remained unsigned he was linked with a move to Ferrari.
    However, the British driver has now inked a three-year-contract with the German constructors.
      "Mercedes is my home and I couldn't be happier to be staying here for another three years," said Hamilton.
      "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."
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      The 30-year-old Hamilton teamed up with Mercedes in 2013 after leaving McLaren and won the drivers' championship the following year, wrestling it from Sebastian Vettel's grasp after four years of dominance.
      The Briton has won 15 races in the Mercedes, taking the checkered flag a remarkable 11 times last season.
      Mercedes also finished top of the constructors' championship in 2014 after Nico Rosberg gave them a one-two finish, leaving Mercedes almost 300 points clear of their nearest rivals Red Bull in second.
      "Lewis enjoyed an historic World Championship season with Mercedez-Benz last year and it was a priority for this season to renew his contract for next the term," said head of Mercedes-Benz Totto Wolff in a statement released on their website.
      "Lewis' sporting track record speaks for itself and he is a great personality for the company. Personally, I am looking forward to continuing to race with the strongest driver pairing in Formula One and to more historic achievements together."
      The winning partnership has continued into 2015 with Hamilton and Rosberg once again occupying first and second spot ahead of the sixth grand prix of the season in Monaco on Sunday.
      Hamilton is 20 points clear of Rosberg going into Saturday's qualifying and he will be hoping to continue his good form and stay on track to add his third drivers' championship after victory last year and in 2008.
        Read: Nico Rosberg breaks 2015 win drought to lead Mercedes one-two
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