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At 37, Hamilton is the second-oldest driver on the F1 grid behind Fernando Alonso, having made his debut again in 2007. Hamilton’s current contract with Mercedes expires on the finish of the 2023 season, however he has proven little signal of contemplating subsequent 12 months to be his final in F1.
Mercedes crew principal Wolff mentioned in an interview with Channel 4 forward of final weekend’s race in Singapore that he had little doubt Hamilton would prolong his contract, revealing the Briton lately urged he had “one other 5 years in me.”
Hamilton spoke about his future on Thursday at Suzuka, saying that though he “cannot say simply but” that he may proceed for one more 5 years, he was “feeling good” and having fun with his racing.
“I really like what I am doing,” Hamilton mentioned. “We’ve quite a lot of work to do and loads to realize nonetheless. I am not planning on going away any time quickly.”
Hamilton has been clear in his intention to see out not solely the rest of his time racing in F1 with Mercedes, however to get pleasure from hyperlinks to the producer past his profession as he works to enhance variety and inclusion by way of the corporate and in motorsport as an trade.
Hamilton mentioned it was “not set in stone” how lengthy he would hold racing for, however that talks concerning the future have been “extra determining what we’ll do.”
“I feel there’s loads Mercedes can do, not simply as a automotive producer,” mentioned Hamilton.
“It offers so many roles for therefore many individuals, it has such a robust platform to shift narratives, it is in a spot to have a extremely optimistic affect on the setting wanting forwards.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“There’s a great deal of various things and I need to be part of that shift and work course of with Mercedes far past successful races and championships.
“However for now, we need to win extra championships. So that is the rapid focus.”
Hamilton is at the moment tied with Michael Schumacher for the file of seven F1 world championships, having controversially misplaced out on an eighth title final 12 months to Max Verstappen within the Abu Dhabi finale.
However Hamilton mentioned it was “extra the place I’m in life” that might affect his choice on how for much longer he would hold racing in F1, relatively than his ranges of success, believing there was loads of work to be performed to enact change within the sequence.
“I can not retire now as a result of I am solely simply embarking on serving to shift and create a extra open and inclusive setting right here within the sport,” Hamilton mentioned.
“I’ve to remain and assist that proceed. Additionally I’m feeling more healthy than I’ve ever been, when it comes to what I eat, how I put together myself, and I really like racing.
“I have been doing it so long as I can keep in mind, since I used to be 5 years previous, and that is not gonna go away.
“If I am nonetheless match and capable of focus, why would I cease? And nonetheless capable of do the opposite issues on the similar time?”
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