(México City) Having struggled for a long time in an underperforming new Mercedes, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton has just three races to avoid the first winless season of his illustrious Formula 1 career.
Posted at 7:37 p.m.
Ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix, he said he had started talks with Mercedes over a new long-term contract.
His current pact expires at the end of 2023.
“Every year you have to ask yourself if you are ready to give as much if not more than when you started. Are you ready to give all your time to prepare, train, work with the team and deliver the goods? “said the 37-year-old pilot.
“If there’s a time when I sit on my laurels, that’s when I don’t deserve to be here anymore. It would be time to stop.
I wonder if I am able to do this and if I want to do this, and the answer is yes. I love the mission and the challenge of working with my team.
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton, a record-breaking F1 win with 103 since his debut season in 2007, topped the 2021 final in Abu Dhabi in a head-to-head with Verstappen for the title.
A late warning sparked a series of events in which the since-fired race director broke protocol in his decisions – ultimately allowing Verstappen to overtake Hamilton for the win and the title.
Hamilton faded away for almost two months, amid speculation he would quit the sport. And with all of his other interests — fashion, music, movies, social justice issues and an investment in the Denver Broncos ownership group — there’s plenty to keep busy.
Hamilton said he didn’t know what the next five years would look like, only that he wanted most of his focus to remain on F1 in the coming seasons.
Hamilton had a one-win season in 2013, but he has never struggled as much as this year.
Mercedes’ debut with a new car revealed multiple problems.
Hamilton has seven podiums this year, including a second-place finish against Verstappen last weekend in Texas. He is not ready to give up on Mercedes.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to success, to getting some wins and the championship again – it’ll make all those tough times worth something,” Hamilton said.