Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2023 (Photo: Getty)
Sir Lewis Hamilton has confirmed that he plans to extend his contract with Mercedes and continue racing in Formula One into his 40s.
The seven-time world champion had previously said that he did not envision himself racing at that age, with the 37-year-old keen to pursue other business ventures.
But just a few weeks ago, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that talks had already begun with his star driver over a new deal, with Hamilton’s current contract set to expire at the end of 2023.
Hamilton has now said that he fully intends to be racing beyond that despite enduring perhaps the worst year of his long-career so far.
Mercedes’ car has been far off the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari, with the Silver Arrows’ eight-year constructors’ title streak now officially over, while Hamilton looks set to finish a season without winning a single race for the first time ever.
But that has not dampened the British sporting legend’s spirit, and he seems more determined than ever to bounce back and claim a record-breaking eighth title in the future.
‘We are going to do another deal,’ he told Motorsport.com in an interview at last weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
Hamilton finished second at the US GP (Photo: Getty)
‘We’re going to sit down and we’re going to discuss it in these next couple of months, I would say. My goal is to continue to be with Mercedes. I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13 and they really are my family.
‘They’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. They’ve stuck with me through my mistakes, and s**t that’s been in the press.
‘I believe in the people that are within the organisation. And I want to be the best teammate I can be to them, because I think we can make the brand even better, more accessible, even stronger than it is. And I think I can be an integral part of that.’
Hamilton and Mercedes have been well beaten by Max Verstappen and Red Bull in 2022 (Photo: Shutterstock)
As for how long Hamilton could keep going on for, he hinted that he could keep going for another five seasons if he was still enjoying what he was doing.
‘I’m trying to analyse my year and analyse my next three-to-five-year plan. It’s difficult to do 10,’ he added.
‘Where do I see myself? What are the things I want to do? What are my goals? And I’m adding in lots of business things. I have a lot of successful, really positive things that have lots of opportunity for success outside.
‘But I want to keep racing. I love what I do. I’ve been doing it for 30 years, and I don’t feel that I should have to stop.
‘I think I’m currently still earning my keep, I would say. I want to do better, still. But I am planning to be here longer.’
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‘I am planning to be here longer.’