Once again the F1 world wonders where Lewis Hamilton will be next season.
The Briton is yet to ink a new deal with Mercedes for 2024, but he recently insisted he has no plans to retire from Formula 1, as he is still in his “prime.”
“I don’t plan on stopping any time soon … I’m not at the end of my career, I’m not in the downhill slope of my career. I’m in my prime,” Hamilton said.
It all depends on how hard I want to work and keep myself in my prime, in terms of physical and mental capability.”
The driver cast reference to two American sporting greats, Lebron James (Basketball) and Tom Brady (American football) when discussing sustained excellence.
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“If you look at LeBron (James), if you look at Tom Brady, they have shown that it can be sustained for as long as you are dedicated enough to put the energy and time in. Right now, I don’t plan on changing, I only plan on adding to the drive and the motivation and to being better. I’m massively driven.”
Whereas it’s apparent that hunger, desire, and passion remain, the question of a switch to another sport lingers. Hamilton claimed:
“I’m a fan of racing and other sports. So I would like to try it. I’d love to swap with Valentino Rossi and try Moto GP. I sometimes watch IndyCar and would love to try one of those at some stage.”
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However, a switch to Moto GP would arouse intrigue, but such speculation may help to tempt F1 juggernauts to fight for Hamilton’s signature.
Mercedes find themselves crippled with complexities. Last year’s lull has widened, with Hamilton still searching for his first race win since Saudi Arabia in 2021. Hamilton has only managed one podium finish from five, losing out to Max Verstappen at the Australian Grand Prix.
Now more than ever Hamilton appears prepared to leave the team where he achieved greatness. At the age of 38, has time run out for an eighth World Championship?