It has been a difficult few weeks for reigning Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.The Brit lost his lead at the top of the 2018 standings after a dreadful tactical error in Austria before an early spin saw him playing catch up for the majority of his home Grand Prix at Silverstone.While he only sits eight points behind fierce rival Sebastian Vettel, you can be sure that the last few weeks will have left a sour taste in his mouth.One thing is for certain, Hamilton and his team face one of the toughest challenges they have faced in years if they plan on retaining both the drivers’ and constructors’ world titles.Ferrari finally look back to their best while the sleeping giant that has been Red Bull is seemingly starting to rouse from its slumber.What that means is that Mercedes’ monopoly over Formula 1 could be under threat and, if the last two races are anything to go by, the pressure might just be getting to them.However, there was some good news for the Hamilton and his team on Thursday with the 33-year-old finally agreeing on a new contract after months and months of negotiations.Talks between the two parties seemed to drag on forever, with rumours that Hamilton’s hefty wage demands were proving to be a sticking point.Those proved to be just rumours in the end, though, with the four-time world champion eventually signing on the dotted line in a deal that will see him remain at Mercedes until 2020.Mercedes broke the news on social media in a unique way to F1, taking some tips from the way in which transfers are being announced by football teams in this day and age, as #announceLewis began to trend.

And then, in the aftermath of that announcement, the man himself sent a classy tweet stating how excited he is to continue his partnership with the team.

Now that his future is settled, Hamilton can get back to the matter at hand.

Vettel is going to take some stopping in that flying Ferrari, but if there is anyone who can manage it, it’s Hamilton.

We are in for a scintillating run-in to the end of the Formula 1 season, and it is about time too.