Following Sebastian Vettel’s announcement that he’ll retire from F1 on the finish of 2022, it’ll depart simply Hamilton and Fernando Alonso because the older era of drivers on the grid subsequent season.
Hamilton, whose present Mercedes F1 contract expires on the finish of 2023, has repeatedly said he has no intention to retire on the finish of subsequent season, because the 37-year-old feels he nonetheless has extra to attain each on and off observe.
Whereas Hamilton is targeted on combating for world titles with Mercedes, he additionally stays dedicated to main F1’s range and inclusion push by way of his charitable basis Mission 44, so feels no want to contemplate retirement with a number of motivations to proceed.
“I believe it’s a reminder that I’m in that a part of my profession the place those that I got here up with and raced with for therefore lengthy will begin to cease,” Hamilton mentioned after Vettel’s retirement announcement in Hungary.
“Earlier than it, Fernando is not going to be right here. After which, who was there after that? I’ll be the oldest I assume! However, no, it’s not made me take into consideration that [retirement].
“I’m fascinated about how I can enhance this automotive. I’m fascinated about what the steps I have to take to get this crew profitable once more, what’s the highway map to profitable one other world championship?
“What are the steps we have to do to have everybody aligned on this sport to do extra to begin really reflecting the work that we’re attempting to do when it comes to range? I’m fascinated about all these issues.
“After I discuss gas left within the tank, I’m nonetheless combating for these issues and nonetheless really feel like I’ve received lots to go in that.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photographs
Nonetheless, Hamilton does imagine he received’t proceed racing in F1 when he’s misplaced motivation to proceed, however doesn’t count on that point to return quickly.
“If I cease, I’ll nonetheless have gas within the tank,” he mentioned. “I don’t suppose I’ll go till I’m fully burnt out and don’t have anything left. However, hopefully that’s some time off.”
Hamilton additionally credited Vettel for his activism work in highlighting environmental points and humanitarian efforts whereas in F1 and hopes the collection can proceed what the German driver has pushed for.
“The work that I’ve tried to do, what Seb’s been attempting to do right here – actually igniting the fireplace of sparking conversations, to depart the place a greater sport than it was after we discovered it,” Hamilton mentioned.
“And I believe Seb has positively had an enormous position to play in that and there’s nonetheless loads of work to do, which I don’t know if Seb goes to do extra work, proceed on the work within the background with the game or not.
“I doubt he’ll come again and do commentary, however you may by no means say by no means. However I do hope it’s in a greater place. It might’ve been an terrible waste of time if not.”