Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes star reveals when he will RETIRE from Formula One

The 32-year-old will surpass Sir Jackie Stewart as Britain’s most decorated Formula One driver if he finishes fifth or better in Mexico tomorrow.

And he will become only the fourth driver in the history of the sport to claim four world titles should he see off Sebastian Vettel.

But Hamilton hinted in the summer he would have no problem calling time on his career at the end of this season, stating he understood Nico Rosberg’s reasoning for walking away from the sport last year.

The British driver seems unlikely to do that this year but his contract at Mercedes does run out at the end of 2018.

However, he has dropped his biggest hint yet that he will renew his deal by stating he expects to race for at least two more years.

“I can easily imagine myself without Formula One, but it is not about that right now,” Hamilton said.

“There are some really cool things coming along that are going to complement where I am in Formula One.

“I definitely won’t be here at 40. I don’t think that is going to happen, but it changes all the time.

“There have been times when I thought I am happy to move on, but you can’t come back.

“I can’t tell you how long I will be here for, but eventually I will figure it out and know when the time comes. I anticipate a couple more years at least.”