Lewis Hamilton has dropped a bombshell by admitting he could retire from F1 this year.
The Briton has long been a huge part of the sport, winning seven titles over the year to emulate Formula One icon Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton has, however, struggled to keep pace with Max Verstappen over the past couple of years.
The Stevenage-born racer has been unable to win a race since 2021 and could only finish third in the standings last term.
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he could quit F1 this year
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Hamilton is currently gearing up for the start of the new F1 season, which is poised to begin in March.
But the 39-year-old has now admitted he could retire from the sport this year, despite signing a new contract with Mercedes last year.
Hamilton previously said he couldn't envisage himself racing into his 40s. And that's something that's still on his mind now, too.
"That is still possible," he told Formule1.nl.
He then added: “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.
“I never thought that, after such a long time in Formula One, I would still feel the same love for the sport.
“It is a love-hate relationship – at times you love it more than at others.
“I think there comes a point when you’ve had enough. But the love is still there.”
Hamilton also opened up on potentially starting a family one day.
The F1 veteran hasn't had much time for personal matters due to the rigours of the sport and the travelling around the world involved.
And Hamilton admits he 'doesn't have time' to start his own family, though does enjoy being an uncle.
“I don’t have time for that. I enjoy being an uncle. I haven’t decided yet whether I want children," he continued.
“I don’t have time for it at the moment. If I want a family, I should focus less on racing and I don’t want to do that.
“There is a time and place for everything. Fortunately, I don’t have to make that decision now, maybe some day.”
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Lewis Hamilton has no plans to start a family right now with F1 star fully focused on winning again
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Hamilton and Mercedes will need to be at their best in 2024 if they're to end Verstappen's dominance.
With three straight title triumphs under his belt, the Red Bull star is very much the man to beat.
Yet Mercedes chief Toto Wolff insists his side are up to the task and insists they must be confident in their own ability if they're to close the gap on their rivals.
"Always believe it's possible," he said.
“You cannot start the season with an attitude of, ‘This is not going to be possible.’
Lewis Hamilton is eager to usurp Max Verstappen when the new F1 season commences in March
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"We saw last year with McLaren, what a huge step they made with a single upgrade.
“We’ve signed a two year deal with Lewis [Hamilton], and we owe it to him, to George [Russell] and to all the team to give it our full attention in 2024 and 2025. I think it’s possible.”
Wolff also says he felt 'good', having recently signed a new Mercedes contract.
“I’m part of this team in various functions," he said. “I’m a co-shareholder. I’m on the board. These are things which will not change whatever executive, or non-executive, role I have.
“But I feel good. The risk for me is always more bore-out than burnout.
"And that’s why I embrace the challenges we have today, even though they sometimes feel very, very difficult to manage.”
