Lewis Hamilton says he "will never be old" while claiming he could continue racing in Formula One until the age of 50.
The seven-time F1 world champion is gearing up for his first race in the iconic red of Ferrari, sparking excitement among fans eager to see the most decorated driver ever join forces with the sport's most storied team.
Hamilton’s 11-year stint with Mercedes was the most successful partnership F1 has ever seen, yielding six drivers' titles and eight constructors' championships. But after his lacklustre final three seasons with the Silver Arrows, there have been suggestions that the 40-year-old Brit could be past his best.
In a bombshell new interview with Time magazine, Hamilton dismissed such talk.
As he prepares to face off against younger rivals like 27-year-old Max Verstappen, 25-year-old Lando Norris, and his 27-year-old team-mate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton feels as energised as ever. “The old man is a state of mind,” he said.
“Of course, your body ages. But I’m never going to be an old man. What I can tell you is, retirement is nowhere on my radar."
He went on to add in an eyebrow-raising statement: "I could be here until I’m 50, who knows.”
There was a period, however, when Hamilton was more receptive to the idea of calling time on his career at Mercedes.
Shortly after renewing his contract with the team, the veteran racer said that hanging up his helmet in the near future wasn't off the cards.
In January 2024, he said: "That is still possible. I have no set plan for the future - I still feel fit and still enjoy what I do. I've now learned that you should never say never in life."
And in his last season with the Brackley-based outfit, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff hinted that the man many believe to be the greatest to ever do it may be past his peak, claiming that “everyone has a shelf life”.
Five months later, Hamilton has responded to that remark, pointing to the achievements of once-in-a-lifetime athletes like LeBron James and Tom Brady, who achieved success at a similar age.
The racing icon said: “Don’t ever compare me to anybody else. I’m the first and only black driver that’s ever been in this sport.
I’m built different. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had my own journey.
“You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula 1 driver in history. Because they are nothing like me.
I'm hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids. I'm focused on one thing, and that's winning. That's my No. 1 priority."
Hamilton's move to Maranello certainly appears to have reignited his passion.
His impressive display behind the wheel of the Ferrari at testing in Bahrain this week has only increased anticipation ahead of his debut race with the team at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, 2025.
