Mercedes fans, you can rest easy now. Over the last few days, rumors of Lewis Hamilton potentially leaving Mercedes for Ferrari abounded. The F1 star refused to sign an extension with his team before this week, fueling rumors of him joining Ferrari amid Carlos Sainz' imminent departure. Had the move gone through, it would've sent shockwaves around the world.

However, instead of going for the nuclear option, Hamilton decided to keep things simple. The American F1 racer is returning to Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton signed an extension until 2025.

In addition, fellow F1 racer George Russell is also staying with Mercedes until 2025.

Aside from leaving Mercedes, there were also rumors that Lewis Hamilton could just step away from F1 completely. At 38 years old, Hamilton has accomplished nearly everything there is in racing. He's frequently mentioned in GOAT talks due to the many accomplishments he's earned in his career.

This is why Hamilton potentially joining Ferrari was going to be a major move. Ferrari has struggled recently due to many factors, including but not limited to their pit crew and staff. With Sainz reportedly set to leave the F1 team soon, the team kind of needs someone to fill that spot. Who better to do that than arguably the greatest racer of all-time?

As for Hamilton, the quest to chase Verstappen continues on. The Red Bull star has been dominant all season long. Verstappen's skills, a talented crew in his ear, and a turbocharged car make for an insane combination. Can Mercedes, with Hamilton back in tow, find a chink in Red Bull's seemingly impenetrable armor?