Lewis Hamilton says he has no plans to stay round in Formulation One into his 40s however signed up for 2 extra years as a result of this season’s shut competitors has been so thrilling.
Explaining the pondering behind a contract extension introduced on the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday, Mercedes’ seven occasions world champion instructed reporters he was loving the problem.
The 36-year-old mentioned he had thought of leaving however felt each he and the game have been getting into an attention-grabbing new section.
“I feel we’re being challenged greater than ever this yr, which is nice,” mentioned essentially the most profitable driver of all time.
“And I like racing. That is what I wish to do.”
Hamilton mentioned his earlier contract was presupposed to be for 2 years however he requested for one as a result of he was uncertain whether or not he would proceed or not, with the COVID-19 pandemic additionally casting uncertainty.
“I had the most effective and most pleasant begin of the yr, loved the roller-coaster experience that we’re having,” he defined.
“The beginning of this season, when the vehicles have been so shut in efficiency — just about equal — then it was actually one in all
essentially the most thrilling occasions I’ve had for a while. To have the ability to have this battle with Crimson Bull.
“I used to be actually hoping that it might proceed on like that for the remainder of the yr however they’ve taken an enormous leap forwards,”
mentioned Hamilton.
The Briton is eighteen factors behind Max Verstappen after the opening eight races, with Crimson Bull profitable 4 in a row as much as
Sunday after Hamilton triumphed in three of the primary 4.
Hamilton has used his platform to marketing campaign for range and equal rights, an vital a part of his resolution to remain, however he mentioned he was additionally simply loving his job.
“I discovered myself simply waking up fascinated about racing, so I needed to proceed to race,” he mentioned.”Now we’re having this tight battle it’s introduced me nearer to the workforce, nearer to the engineers, it’s making me dig deeper and I like that. It has reinvigorated the love that I’ve for this sport and love for what I do.”
The brand new contract will see Hamilton, who has 98 wins and 100 poles, race on till he’s 38 — an age he mentioned “doesn’t truly sound that unhealthy”.He wouldn’t stick round only for the sake of it, although.
“There’s going to be a degree at which I’m going to wish to transfer on to do various things…I’m not going to do it at 80%, 70% and simply trundle alongside,” he mentioned.
“I’m solely right here to win. So if there’s ever a degree that I really feel I don’t wish to commit the time or the trouble, that would be the time for me to cease. I don’t plan to be right here till I’m 40. I hope I’ve one thing else thrilling to do past.”
