London: Lewis Hamilton has hinted he could walk away from Formula One (F1) at the end of the season, while also indicating it was highly unlikely.
The triple World Champion, so often an enigma shrouded in contradiction, offered little certainty after winning the British Grand Prix for a record-equalling fifth time.
What came across strongly, however, was that the Mercedes driver felt in the form of his life and would always want to be a winner.
“Apart from being with my family, the happiest moment I ever have is when I’ve got the car on a knife-edge and that’s never really changed,” he told reporters Monday after winning Sunday’s race at Silverstone.
“In terms of contracts and stuff, I can’t really say what’s going to happen six months from now. I may walk away, though it is highly unlikely, but then you all know I am unpredictable. But what I do know is I’m loving racing. I really do feel within myself that I’m driving better than I’ve ever driven,” added the Brit.
While Hamilton has found the life balance that works for him, jetting across the Atlantic in-between races and taking a holiday in Greece just days before Silverstone, questions are regularly asked about his focus.
There has also been speculation that he could seek to see out his career at Ferrari. Asked whether he was speaking in terms of not knowing whether he would still be in Formula One in six months’ time, Hamilton sought to clarify.
“No, I just think in life you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Hamilton informed. “Right now I love driving and then in six months I might… it’s very unlikely because I think I’m always going to like driving, I’m always going to like doing crazy stuff. And I always like to win, better myself,” stated the 32-year-old.
“Even in getting another championship, it will never be, ‘OK, now it’s time to hang up the gloves’. I’ll always want to win more,” added Hamilton.