Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted that Lewis Hamilton “can go longer” in Formula 1 than 2025, when his new contract with the Silver Arrows expires.
Hamilton’s new contract for 2024 and 2025 was announced back at the Italian Grand Prix, as was George Russell’s deal being extended also until the end of 2025.
The seven-time World Champion previously admitted that he wouldn’t be in F1 when he’s 40 years old; however, he’ll be 40 when his new deal expires.
His new deal will take him to the end of the current aerodynamic regulations, with the new power unit rules to be introduced in 2026.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Some have questioned whether this would be a good time for Hamilton to retire, as it’d allow the Silver Arrows to enter the new power unit regulations with a young line-up.
Given that Fernando Alonso is currently 42 years old and is set to be in F1 until at least the end of 2024, there is every chance that Hamilton could continue beyond 2025.
Alonso is proof that racing at a good level in F1 is possible in your 40s, with the two-time World Champion having salvaged eight podiums this year.
What also works in Hamilton’s favour is that he trains harder than the majority of the paddock, whilst he’s also going to the extreme lengths of removing alcohol and meat from his diet.
Wolff is confident that the 38-year-old could continue in F1 beyond 2025; however, the Mercedes boss has stressed that it’s then down to the Silver Arrows to “give him a car that is quick enough”.
“He is 39 in January, and Fernando (Alonso – 42) is still going strong,” Wolff told The Independent.
“As long as you look after yourself, you do the best preparation, physically and mentally, and develop different areas to when you are 25, then yes.
“We just need to give him a car that is quick enough. And, as a driver, I have no doubt about him. You have seen in the last races that his performance, speed and race craft are all there. But, if he doesn’t have the car underneath him, he cannot win.”
If Hamilton does continue in F1 beyond 2025, there is no guarantee that it’ll necessarily be at Mercedes.
READ: Lewis Hamilton insists F1 can’t become a ‘circus’ amid Las Vegas complaints
This largely depends on the performance of the Silver Arrows, who are currently unable to give the Stevenage-born driver a car to challenge for wins.
Wolff admits that looking to the future, the team must do “what we feel is right”, as things stand, though, the Austrian believes Hamilton can continue with Mercedes beyond 2025.
“We are living from contract to contract, and it is important that we are doing what we think is right and what we feel is right, and at the moment I personally feel he can go longer,” Wolff added.