Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will go head-to-head once again, if the seven-time World Champion wants to achieve his “dream” and retire from Formula 1 as World Champion.
The 37-year-old has achieved everything that a driver could dream of, with the Brit having claimed more wins and pole positions than any other driver in the history of the sport.
Being an unprecedented eight-time World Champion, though, is the sole accolade that continues to elude him, with the Mercedes star and Michael Schumacher having claimed seven titles.
Hamilton will be hoping to return to the title fight in 2023, following a disastrous 2022 campaign where he failed to add to his pole positions or victories tally.
READ: Adrian Newey makes ‘naughty and silly’ admission about Max Verstappen
The Stevenage-born driver is keen not to retire following a decline, similar to the fate that Sebastian Vettel faced after retiring following a two-year stint which saw him claim one podium.
“I think retiring as a world champion is a dream that every athlete has – and so do I,” Hamilton told German outlet Sport BILD.
Despite this “dream”, racing isn’t the “most important” thing to the 103-time GP winner anymore.
“Motorsport isn’t the most important thing for me either. When I was a kid maybe it was. Probably also when I got into Formula 1.
“Ever since I was in my 30s, I’ve realized that it’s all about making memories with friends, with family. It’s about key memories with the people who mean the most to you. That’s what I focus on and plan things to create those moments, because that’s what you take with you in the long run.”
Remaining in F1 for a couple more years, though, is seemingly Hamilton’s plan, with the Brit planning to sit down with Toto Wolff to discuss a new contract.
His current deal expires at the end of 2023; however, he will sit down with Wolff when they get a chance this winter.
“We haven’t started with that yet. So far we haven’t had the time, we’ve been on the road for two months at a time,” said Hamilton.
READ: ‘F1 is a zoo’: Max Verstappen to retire sooner than expected
Hamilton is aware that he hasn’t got “terribly long” left at the pinnacle of motorsport, but that for the time being there is still “more” he wants to accomplish, meaning he’ll be seen in the paddock for at least two more years.
“Sometimes you wake up and have the feeling: ‘I don’t want to do this anymore’. And sometimes you wake up and think: ‘I can still do other things my whole life’,” added the Brit.
“There is definitely more I want to achieve – it won’t be a terribly long time now, but I’ll definitely be staying.”