Hamilton wary of "squandering" F1 chances by retiring early
Formula 1 championship leader Lewis Hamilton says that he can “definitely” see himself racing for many more years, with the goal of matching Michael Schumacher’s seven titles.

Hamilton was speaking to US talk show host David Letterman before the start of the 2019 season and appears in an episode of the second season of Letterman’s Netflix series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, which was released on the online streaming service on Friday.
The five-time world champion was interviewed by Letterman in his studio in the States during the off-season and then again at the Silverstone shakedown of the 2019 Mercedes car in February.
Since then, Hamilton has gone onto win four of the first six races of this season and assumed control of the championship with a hard-fought victory last weekend in Monaco.
Hamilton’s current contract with the dominant Mercedes team finishes at the end of the 2020 season, but the reigning champion has recently expressed a desire to remain with the team for the foreseeable future.
“Michael retired when he was 38. I’m 33. In my mind I can definitely do five years,” said Hamilton. “I am ridiculously determined to win.
“What really drives me, and I feel that somewhat the people I race against may lack, is that fire.
“I’ve got this opportunity. I could easily let go of it right now but I feel like I would be squandering it if I didn’t continue to improve, grow and push.
“I’ve got to keep going for as long as I can basically - until I’m not enjoying it.”
More F1 insights:
Hamilton also spoke of the unique mental challenges presented in F1, acknowledging that managing the “massive comedowns” is key to unlocking his success.
“It’s a hard, hard year,” continued Hamilton. “Mentally you have these massive highs, wins and success, but then you have these massive comedowns.
“[It’s] something I’ve never really spoken about but you often do suffer from mental issues – instabilities – and keeping yourself together when you hit rock bottom, which you do as an athlete.
“If you’re lucky you can find strength at rock bottom. It’s about how you get up, not how you fall.”

Previous article
Williams expects upgrades will bring "significant performance"
Next article
Why Ferrari should stick with Binotto

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Lewis Hamilton |
Author | Lucy Morson |
Hamilton wary of "squandering" F1 chances by retiring early
Trending
The updates Williams hopes will lead to a point-scoring return
After producing a car which demonstrated progress but lacked the points to prove it last year, Williams starts its new era of team ownership with the FW43B, its bid to continue the climb up the Formula 1 grid in 2021
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end