“I think I want to”: With speculation on retirement growing, Hamilton offers hint of where his future lies

Lewis Hamilton signed a one-year contract with Mercedes earlier this year. This would be his ninth season with Mercedes and his 15th F1 campaign in total.

He is currently targeting a record eighth drivers’ crown, and will be buoyed after winning at the Bahrain GP — his 96th race success.

The seven-time world champion has revealed that in the next eight months or so he would know if he is going to continue in F1 or not.

The 36-year-old has a lot of interests outside the F1 paddock which include music, fashion, social and environmental causes to name a few. There is speculation that when he quits F1, he will not be coming back ever again.

However, in an interview, Hamilton revealed that even if he quits racing, he might still want to be associated with F1. But he did not specify which role he would be interested in.

“I could stay involved in F1 after retirement and I think I want to,” said Hamilton, who will bid for race win No.97 in Imola.

“But it’s hard for me to think about when I won’t be racing.

“Growing up, I’ve learned that changing things when you’re in them is easier and succeeds better. F1 gave me a platform to reach a lot of people, to inform, to send positive messages, to encourage people, to push.

“At some point, I too will have to stop, but the mission to make motorsport more inclusive will never leave my mind, it’s something I will always want to fight for. One or two years are certainly not enough.”

Before the Bahrain GP, Hamilton had hinted that he might want to retire from racing, but not very soon.

“The position I’m in has nothing to do with whether we are or we’re not winning the Championship. I don’t quit when the going gets tough.

“I wanted a one-year deal and yes, I said to Toto [Wolff] it would be good that when we work on the future together we should talk about it much earlier than January.

“I’m fully committed to this sport. I love what I’m doing. We’re going to have a great battle one way or another and that’s what I’ve always loved.

“In the current position I’m in, I don’t feel like this is the end. Of course we’ve got these [regulation] changes that are happening next year which are exciting.

“I don’t feel like I’m at the end, but in the next eight months or so I’ll find out whether I’m ready to stop or not. I don’t think I will personally, but you never know.”

What do you think the future holds for Hamilton? Let us know in the comments below!

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