Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain has signed a new five-year contract extension with which lengthens his total time with the team to 15 years.
Hamilton's original deal was signed in 2006, but McLaren decided on a new contract after the English driver's stellar rookie F-1 season in which he finished runner-up to .
McLaren chief executive Ron Dennis said the 23-year-old Hamilton -- the first black driver in Formula one -- had exceeded all expectations and deserved "improved financial terms." However, Dennis did not reveal how much Hamilton will make in the deal.
Dennis said he believes the 15-year pact is among the longest running associations between a sportsman and a team in the history of sports. Hamilton said he would be happy to drive for McLaren for the rest of his career.
Hamilton will have a new teammate at McLaren-Mercedes this season. Heikki Kovalainen replaces Fernando Alonso as McLaren's other driver. Alonso will be driving for Renault in 2008.