Motorsports
Hamilton wants to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2023
The most successful driver in Formula 1 history, Lewis Hamilton, has hinted that his current contract with Mercedes – for the next two years – will be his last in the sport as “I hope to have some other fun activities “.
British champion Lewis Hamilton turned 37 last January but has hinted he has no plans to follow in the footsteps of Fernando Alonso or Kimi Raikkonen and continue racing in Formula One after the age of 40.
He will be 39 at the end of his contract with Mercedes F1, at the end of 2023 – and the champion already appears to be investing in the seemingly young George Ralel for the ‘post-Hamilton’ era, whom he has placed in the cockpit this year by Valteri Botas, at the same time Red Bull Racing has long “tied” Max Ferstappen with a new contract that runs until the end of 2028.
When asked if he would still be in Formula 1 at 40, Hamilton replied: “I didn’t particularly think about this number. Being still 37 I still have a little way to go so to be honest I haven’t thought about it yet. “I don’t plan to be close to that age, so I’m hoping to have some other fun activities.”
In addition to Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel reportedly does not want to be found in Formula 1 in his 40 years. The German, who made his F1 debut the same year as Lewis (2007), stressed: “I don’t think so [ότι θα είμαι εδώ στα 40]. Then again, Fernando said that, so you never know. But right now I would say no.”
Sophia Jhon is a sports journalist and author. He has worked as a news editor for Sportish and is now a sport columnist for the same publication. Alberta’s professional interests lie largely in sports news, with an emphasis on English football. He has also written articles on other sporting topics.