07/01/2008
NEWS STORY
British tabloid, the News of the World, reports that 2007 rookie sensation, has agreed a new five-year deal with McLaren that will see the youngster on £9m ($17.7) a year plus a £3m ($5.9m) bonus should he win the title.
It is understood that in his debut season the youngster -who celebrates his twenty-third birthday today - was paid £350,000 ($688,000), however, points bonuses saw his earnings rise to over £1m ($1.9m).
The Englishman, who caused controversy late last year when he announced that he was to relocate to Switzerland, citing the lack of privacy in the UK, is set to unveil his team's 2008 challenger in Stuttgart this afternoon.
Speaking to the News of the World, Hamilton claimed he would be happy to see out his F1 career with the Woking team. "I've always said I'm happy to stay at McLaren for the rest of my career if they want me to. "I have a great relationship with the team having been with them for so long, right from my days in karting, and I'm ready to lead them on the track this year.
"My relationship with the team only grew stronger last year with all that happened off the track and the way they supported me in the final races."