Lewis Hamilton Opens Up About Racing Into His 40s
As the 2024 Formula 1 season approaches, Lewis Hamilton finds himself in a position he had once thought unimaginable—racing into his 40s. The seven-time world champion had previously expressed doubts about continuing his career beyond a certain point, but a change of heart has led to a two-year deal with Mercedes, extending his tenure into the age of 40 by 2025.
In an interview with the BBC, Hamilton revealed that the key to his change of perspective is maintaining an open mind about his future in Formula 1. As the season resets with all standings returning to zero, Hamilton sees it as an opportunity for a fresh start for all 10 teams and 20 drivers.
Hamilton acknowledged the trials and tribulations that come with competing in Formula 1 but emphasized that his enjoyment behind the wheel is a driving force. Despite the challenges, he remains passionate about the sport, making the decision to continue racing into his 40s a testament to his ongoing commitment and love for Formula 1.
As the seasoned driver prepares for the upcoming season, fans and the motorsport community await to see how Hamilton’s experience and skill will contribute to the dynamic landscape of Formula 1 in the years to come.
Hamilton: I still love F1
“What you’ve got to learn is you should never say never,” he said. “But at that point, I definitely didn’t think I’d be continuing. They are frickin’ long seasons. It’s a long time away from everyone. I’ve been doing it 16 years. It’s gruelling.
“There’s a lot of glitz and glamour and lots of positives but it’s by no means easy to stay at your best, to stay committed, to keep up the training, to continue to deliver. It’s a lot of pressure.
“You’re being scrutinised all the time and I’m in a place in my life where there’s no way I can win.
“If I win a race, it’s: ‘Oh, he’s a seven-time world champion, you got 103 wins.’ If I don’t do well, it’s [criticism]… I can only lose at this point in life. So for sure there was a period of time when I was questioning whether I wanted to go through that.”
“I still love driving,” he added. “I still love getting into the car. When they start the car up and you have all those people around you, the crew, you go down the pit-lane, I still get this smile on my face the same as I did the first day I drove.”
