Hamilton signs new deal with Mercedes

Monaco - Mercedes says Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has signed a new 3-year deal.

The deal was announced on Wednesday ahead of this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

Since leaving McLaren in 2013, Hamilton has competed in 43 races, winning 15 and securing a further 11 podium finishes to replace four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel - the only other driver to beat him this season - as the sport's No 1 driver.

He currently leads team-mate Nico Rosberg by 20 points.

His consistency has seen him reach the podium in 21 of the past 24 races since the beginning of last season, with 14 wins, five second-place finishes and two third places. With 36 career race wins, and given Mercedes' superior speed, he should overtake Vettel's 40 wins this year.