‘It gave me a lot of life and energy’: Lewis Hamilton is targeting another three years in Formula One after reflection on his career during lockdown… as the Mercedes star vows to ‘deliver for as long as I can’
- Lewis Hamilton says he wants to continue in the sport for the next few years
- The six-time champion says he was given ‘renewed energy’ to think in lockdown
- He vowed to keep going for the meantime amid talks over his future at Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton says he has no plans to put the brakes on his career and is eyeing at least another three years in the sport after taking time to reflect in lockdown.
The six-time world champion is in talks over a new deal with Mercedes and Sportsmail understands he is seeking an improvement on his current salary, from approximately $45m (£36m) to $50m (£40m).
But amid speculation over his future, Hamilton insists he wants to ‘deliver’ in the sport for ‘as long as possible’, saying time spent in coronavirus lockdown gave him ‘breathing space’.
Lewis Hamilton wants at least another three years in Formula One after reflecting on his career
His contract expires at the end of this season, with the 35-year-old aiming to win his fourth championship in a row.
Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, he says he has been given ‘a lot of life and energy’ to keep pushing forwards in his career.
‘I would say the Covid-19 lockdown, when we had the first part of the season cancelled, in some ways gave a lot of life, a lot of energy to focus on some other things,’ he said.
‘That time off was really a bit of breathing space. It gave me a renewed bit of energy to perhaps go longer.
The Mercedes star says he was given ‘renewed energy’ in lockdown ahead of British Grand Prix
The 35-year-old can win a record seventh world title this season and wants to keep delivering
‘There is a point at which physicality and the mental side tail off, and I don’t know when that’s going to be.
‘But I don’t see that happening in the short term, in the next two or three years.’
Hamilton, who is aiming to draw level with Michael Schumacher this season and win a seventh world title, said his initial target was at least three more years and added he was also ‘conscious’ of ensuring there was diversity in F1.
‘Also, we’re in a period where there’s not another driver from my background coming up at the moment, and I’m conscious of that as well.
‘So my goal is to continue to deliver for as long as I can. I do see myself going for at least another three years.’