Lewis Hamilton confirms he could make retirement U-turn despite new Mercedes contract
Lewis Hamilton recently signed a new two-year contract with Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton has revealed he has no plans to retire from F1 just yet - but also admits he could change his mind.
The Brit recently signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes that will see him race with the Silver Arrows into his 40s.
Hamilton has endured a difficult season in the sport so far, with Max Verstappen and Red Bull poised to reign supreme for the third year in a row.
But that hasn't dented the 38-year-old's hopes of securing more glory in the future and adding to his seven F1 crowns.
F1 star Lewis Hamilton has struggled to keep pace with Max Verstappen this season
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Hamilton has now revealed to Sky Sports that he could keep going beyond that fresh deal.
Yet he's also admitted that he may perform a U-turn and that retirement at the end of it isn't completely off the table.
"The goal within those two years is 100 per cent to be fighting and win a world championship," he said.
"We are second in the constructors' championship right now and we want to dethrone those who are at the top.
"I have 100 per cent faith that we can do that.
"In terms of long-term, I'm thinking about my next contract - what that will look like, how long that will be. I plan to be here for a while.
"But it could change. I could come back next year and be like 'damn it'. Who knows?
"You never know where you are going to be in life but right now I'm very focused on staying positive every day. I know that's not easy for anyone.
"Staying fit and healthy and trying to find that balance of enjoying yourself and your work - balance with family life and all those sort of things.
"I think I've got a pretty decent balance right now. That's enabling me to really love what I'm doing."
After signing his new deal with Mercedes last month, Hamilton insisted he and the team had 'never been hungrier' to achieve success.
"We have never been hungrier to win," he stated.
"We have learnt from every success but also every setback.
"We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again.
"I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track.
"Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do."
However, while Hamilton insists he's happy, F1 icon Sir Jackie Stewart thinks the Brit has 'big problems' at Mercedes right now.
And the 84-year-old also doubts whether the Stevenage-born racer will ever win another F1 crown.
"First of all, Lewis is one of the best to ever drive in Formula One," he said.
"But the truth is that in the last decade he competed with Mercedes for a team that was virtually out of competition.
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Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he could retire despite having no plans to right now
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“During this time, Lewis only had one real competitor - his respective teammate. Except for 2016, he always emerged victorious from the duel.
“And then he lost to Nico Rosberg. With respect: a good driver, but not the most talented in the world.
"But Rosberg was hungry and had the absolute will to become world champion. Lewis no longer has that hunger.
“Because of that - and because the car is no longer quite as powerful - he has serious problems.”
He added: "That [eighth title] also depends on Mercedes.
"It's not impossible, but I still don't think he'll be able to do it."