Lewis Hamilton has been hinting at a possible retirement sooner rather than later to focus on other interests outside of Formula 1 – with his current deal with Mercedes set to end next year.
However during the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) awards ceremony this week he said he expects to still be racing in 2020 and possibly beyond depending on how he feels and where the sport goes in 2021, when new engines are introduced alongside major car changes penned by Liberty Media.
"I have spoken to those who have retired early, those who retired late and everyone says stay in as long as you can," said Hamilton. "That's not going to happen.
"The seasons are getting longer and longer and you see the things I do outside, which take a lot of my energy and time.
"I'm enjoying what I'm doing now. I enjoy being with this team, I love racing and I still feel at the moment I'm driving at my best."
Hamilton is due to hold contract talks with Mercedes in the coming weeks with many believing a three-year deal to be the likely outcome, that would keep Hamilton in F1 until the end of the 2021 season, though he says he may decide to hang his helmet up before then.
"While the car is in this form of rules until 2021 at least, I think that's going to be the window I'm still here.
"Who knows? Maybe in 2021 I'll hand the baton over to George [Russell, Mercedes junior].
"He'll be there anyway before then. But yeah, I'm going to keep going."
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