Lewis Hamilton has admitted that it “would probably be better to take a sabbatical” and then review his options in Formula 1 before deciding to retire from the sport.
The Briton is the most decorated driver in F1 history, having tied Michael Schumacher on seven championships and also surpassed the records for both wins and pole positions.
Hamilton was on the verge of clinching an unprecedented eighth Drivers’ title in 2021 when then FIA race director Michael Masi contravened the restart regulations under a late Safety Car period at the final round in Abu Dhabi, allowing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to nip in and seize the crown.
Amid Mercedes’ troubles under the latest regulation cycle, Hamilton has been unable to challenge Verstappen and has not added to his 103 victories since December 2021.
Mercedes announced in August last year that both Hamilton and George Russell had penned two-year extensions to remain the team’s driver line-up until the end of 2025.
While he conceded to pondering quitting after the 2021 debacle, Hamilton has denied that achieving an eighth title has been the driving force behind his prolonged F1 stay.
“I’ve never said an eighth title would be the endpoint,” the Briton told Formule 1.
“But I don’t know what comes next after Formula 1. I don’t necessarily feel like I’d want to stay active in Formula 1 but never say never.
“But I can’t imagine not driving anymore and still being in the pit box somewhere. I’d just be thinking: ‘I could have stuck with it another year.’
“So it would probably be better to take a sabbatical and then see if I want to come back.”
Hamilton’s ex-title rival Sebastian Vettel retired from F1 at the end of 2022, but the four-time World Champion has been tipped to make a dramatic comeback in the future.
The possibility of the German replicating what Fernando Alonso did has not been discounted by Hamilton, who admits he wouldn’t be shocked if Vettel chose to return.
“It didn’t surprise me, because you see it more often with retired drivers now. Fernando came back, Michael Schumacher did too,” the 39-year-old added.
“I’ve also seen it with athletes from other sports and have spoken to a few about it. They said: ‘You lose something you’ve done all your life, suddenly it’s gone.’ I can imagine it’s an incredible hole to fall into.”
Hamilton will be present alongside team-mate George Russell and Team Principal Toto Wolff on 14 February at Silverstone as Mercedes launch its 2024 challenger.
Speaking at the FIA Gala in December, Hamilton proclaimed he had been “excited” by the sight of the team’s W15 car evolving in the wind tunnel ahead of the next campaign.
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