Only Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will be the oldest generation of drivers on the grid in the upcoming season as a result of Sebastian Vettel’s statement that he will retire from Formula One at the conclusion of 2022.
Since the 37-year-old believes he still has more to do both on and off the racetrack, Hamilton, whose current Mercedes F1 contract expires at the end of 2023, has consistently indicated he has no intention of retiring at the conclusion of the upcoming season.
Hamilton is committed to leading F1’s diversity and inclusion push through his philanthropic organisation Mission 44 and is primarily focused on competing for world championships with Mercedes. With so many reasons to keep racing, Hamilton does not feel the need to seriously consider retirement.
After Vettel announced his retirement in Hungary, Hamilton stated. “I think it’s a reminder that I’m in that part of my career where people that I came up with and raced with for so long will start to stop, Before you know it, Fernando will not be here. And then, who was there after that? I’ll be the oldest I guess! But, no, it’s not made me think about that.”
Although he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon, Hamilton does believe he will stop competing in Formula One when he loses the desire to do so.
“If I stop, I will still have fuel in the tank,” he said. “I don’t think I will go until I’m completely burnt out and have nothing left. But, hopefully that’s a while off.”