Lewis Hamilton: “My goal is to continue with Mercedes”

Lewis Hamilton took time out to answer questions about his future and admitted he and Mercedes bosses will soon discuss a contract extension.

Published on 27/10/2022 à 15:22

Gonzalo Forbes

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Lewis Hamilton: “My goal is to continue with Mercedes”

Lewis Hamilton does not want to break the alliance with Mercedes. ©DPPI/X. Bonilla

Lewis Hamilton is hungry. Despite his 37 years and a complicated year where he has still not signed a single pole position or victory, the seven-time world champion is still as motivated. One might have thought he was morally destroyed after losing the title to Max Verstappen in 2021 but the Englishman has no intention of leaving the world of F1, At least for the moment.

Under contract with Mercedes until December 2023, Lewis Hamilton recently confided that his wish was to continue the adventure with Mercedes beyond the end of his lease. During a round table on the sidelines of the United States Grand Prix, the Briton made a new update regarding his future. Despite a gap of a few weeks between his two speeches, the record holder for Formula 1 victories (103) did not change his speech, once again welcoming all the support received from the Star for many years.

« We will make a new agreement, he advanced towards Austin. We'll sit down and talk over the next few months I would say. My goal is to continue with Mercedes. I've been with Mercedes since I was 13. It really is my family, Mercedes-Benz is my family. They stayed with me through thick and thin. They supported me when I was kicked out of school. They stayed with me through everything that happened in 2020, despite my mistakes, and the s**t that appeared in the press... They stayed with me through the ups and downs. I believe in this brand and all the people who work there. I want to be their best partner, to make this brand better and more accessible, stronger than it already is. I think I can be part of it »

Lewis Hamilton and memories of Abu Dhabi

After losing his title in the last lap of the last Grand Prix of the 2021 season to Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton was walled in silence for many weeks. Many believed in a possible retirement on the part of the Englishman perhaps affected by the progress of the final. He finally returned to take on a new challenge and above all to recover his property.

« It was certainly heartbreaking, devastating, whatever you want to say., he remembers. Was there really a time when I thought I wouldn't come back? I'm not the type to give up like that. What was really saddening was just the thought that F1 could do something like that, that it could happen in this sport, given all the people we depend on. There is an expectation that the work will be done as it should be. Ultimately, the outcome of a World Championship – that so many people worked so hard for – changes because of someone's bad decision, you know? »

Obviously marked by the outcome in Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton unfortunately did not experience this type of episode for the first time in his career. Already in 2007, during his first campaign in F1, he lost the title to Kimi Räikkönen (110 against 100) while he was 17 points ahead with two races remaining in an era where a victory brought 10 units. Events which only strengthened the man.

« I turned the page, confirms the person concerned. I refuse to live in the past. I already experienced this in 2007 and, being young, it really stopped me from sleeping, it was just negative. When we hold on to negativity, hatred or whatever, we cannot move forward. Me, I move forward, regardless of what happened in the past. I chose not to dwell on it. I couldn't do anything about it. I really gave it my all and made sacrifices. But I would happily do it again. It is with this in mind that I work. » Don't panic, we will have Lewis Hamilton for a little while longer.

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Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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