Lewis Hamilton suggested that he might not continue racing into his forties, even though he turned 39 in January ahead of the 2024 season. The iconic British driver, who is still pursuing his eighth World Championship, discussed his 'love-hate relationship' with the sport.
Hamilton enjoyed dominance in the turbo-hybrid era after joining Mercedes in 2013, securing six World Championship titles with the Silver Arrows to equal Michael Schumacher's record and solidify his status among the motorsport greats.
However, the British racing legend narrowly missed out on his eighth World Championship crown in a heartbreaking manner on the final lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Since then, he has struggled to compete for race wins, let alone championships.
At 39, Hamilton's illustrious career appears to be in its concluding phase, but a two-year contract extension signed during the 2023 campaign indicates his belief that a championship fight with a revitalized Mercedes team could still be possible before the technical regulation changes take effect in 2026.
During an interview with the Dutch publication Formule1.NL, the Brit was reminded of his promise not to race into his 40s. To which he replied it is possible he wouldn’t race after a year or two.
"And that is still possible. I have no set plan for the future. I still feel fit and still enjoy what I do. Meanwhile, I have learned that you should never say 'never' in life,” Hamilton said.
"I never thought that after such a long time in Formula One, I would still feel the same love for the sport,” he explained.
“It is a love-hate relationship though, at some times you love it more than at other times. I do think there will come a time when you will get tired of it. But the love is still there."
Despite the challenges, Hamilton has seen some success since the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, securing podium finishes and breaking his pole position drought in Hungary last season, outperforming former title rival Max Verstappen in qualifying.
Reflecting on the impact of this accomplishment, Hamilton remarked: "No matter how much you try to appreciate everything that comes your way, when the going gets tough, when you've had difficult times, that's when you really appreciate it.
“Take the coronavirus time, for instance. Many of us became ill and lost our taste for example for a while. Once recovered, you then appreciate your taste much more. So I think it makes sense that that pole in Hungary felt extra nice, precisely because I had missed it for so long."
