Lewis Hamilton says age is just a number
Mercedes struggled last season but a ‘re-energised’ Hamilton – who will again race alongside fellow Briton George Russell – has his sights on a future with the team
F1 legend Lewis Hamilton could race into his 40s after revealing he is planning to ‘stay a bit longer’ with negotiations having started with Mercedes over a new deal.
The seven-time world champion, heading into the final year of his £40million-a-year contract, was speaking at the Silver Arrows’ season launch at Silverstone with team principal Toto Wolff confirming discussions over an extension to that deal have already begun.
Mercedes struggled last season but a ‘re-energised’ Hamilton – who will again race alongside fellow Briton George Russell – has his sights on a future with the team.
Hamilton said: ‘I have been here a long time. I continue to love racing and that is never ever going to change. It’s part of my DNA and I always believe I can get better.
‘I love the challenge of the mental and the physical elements, of having to deep dive, and see how I can extract more performance from me, the people around me, and the car that is constantly evolving.
‘There is always a new log-book and new tools that you have to get used to, and I love that so I am planning to stay a little bit longer. I’m excited to go racing again.
‘I feel calm, energised, and have my focus sharpened. I’m ready to do what’s necessary to win.’
Tom Wolff who is discussing a new contract with Hamliton said : ‘We have had a first chat but I don’t want to commit to any timeline. That is not important for him or for us. His current contract runs a full year and we will find the right time. We have done a few of these contracts in the past and it is not usually complex apart from the obvious terms.’
