Lewis Hamilton has dropped his biggest hint yet that he’ll remain a McLaren driver come next season, admitting it would feel “abnormal” to race anywhere else.
The 27-year-old has grown-up part of the team since joining their young driver programme at the age of 12, before making his Formula 1 debut in 2007.
Whilst recent issues have strained the relationship, Hamilton doesn’t believe that will be a factor in his decision to stay.
“I don’t think so,” he said on Thursday. “They come back all the time. The support I have had at this team – not many people get to see it.
“I have a lot of faith in this team, we’re like a family,” he added. “Anything different would feel very abnormal.”
Hamilton then dropped a second hint, adding that he hopes to witness, and be involved, in a period of domination with McLaren.
“It’s been a tough 10-15 years for this team so I’m looking and waiting for that period to come where they have their highest point.
“They had it with Mika [Hakkinen] in the late 90s, and I hope that at some stage it’s our turn.
“I definitely feel that I can do it, and I’m constantly boosted by the team when I go back and see how hard they are pushing. This team never gives up, I never do, and hopefully at some stage we will be rewarded for that.”