F1: Hamilton renewal news a blow to Ricciardo’s future
(GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he will “definitely” sign a new contract with Mercedes to keep racing in Formula 1 beyond 2023.
Team boss Toto Wolff made a similar claim recently, suggesting that the 37-year-old seven time world champion is capable of racing well into his early 40s.
“The time has come again when I think about how to proceed,” Hamilton said in Mexico, according to the German publication Auto Motor und Sport.
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“You analyze the past year and try to imagine what the next three to five years might look like. Where do I see myself? What do I want to do? What are my goals?
“Outside of the sport, I am in many businesses with a good chance of success. But I want to keep racing too,” said the British driver.
“I love what I do. I’ve been doing it for 30 years, and I’ve never felt the need to stop. I want to do even better. That’s why I plan to be there for a longer time.”
Hamilton said he gets along well with quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel, who at the age of 35 has decided to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the year.
“Seb and I are just on a different path in life,” he insisted.
“Will I still drive past 40? Maybe. But Mercedes and I will definitely extend the contract. We will sit down in the next two months.”
With George Russell now fully established in the second Mercedes, Hamilton’s news might be seen as a blow to Daniel Ricciardo.
Some think the only reason the 33-year-old Australian is even contemplating taking a reserve seat at Mercedes next year is in the hope that Hamilton might retire after that.
Ricciardo denied that on Thursday.
“The truth is I want Lewis to stay in the sport,” he said in Mexico.
“He’s one of the greatest ever to do it and I think competing with him, going wheel to wheel with him is fun. It’s normally at the pointy end so I certainly wish to do that more in the future.
“So I don’t think my future is relative to what others do. I think it’s just – how do I say it – the opportunities will arise when they do, but I’m not banking on anyone doing something so I can find my way,” Ricciardo added.
Hamilton vs Verstappen Cumulative Win Record by Age
Age | Hamilton | Verstappen |
18 | 0 | 1 |
19 | 0 | 3 |
20 | 0 | 5 |
21 | 0 | 8 |
22 | 4 | 10 |
23 | 9 | 20 |
24 | 11 | 31 |
25 | 14 | 33 and counting |
26 | 17 | TBD |
27 | 21 | TBD |
28 | 22 | TBD |
29 | 33 | TBD |
30 | 43 | TBD |
31 | 53 | TBD |
32 | 62 | TBD |
33 | 73 | TBD |
34 | 84 | TBD |
35 | 95 | TBD |
36 | 103 | TBD |
37 | 103 | TBD |