If there are two drivers on the current Formula 1 grid that stand out as role models for the next generation of talent, they are Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, who looked up to Hamilton, now drive alongside him. However, the 7x champ’s current state is mediocre while Verstappen is at his very best. Despite this, Hamilton has become the benchmark for a certain F1 rival’s career journey.

The Mercedes racer has signed a 2-year, $127 million extension with the team. This means that he will race with them in F1 even after he turns 40. Keeping physically fit and having the mental hunger to achieve more at the supposed retirement age is a mammoth achievement. On the other hand, Verstappen, at 25 years old, keeps hinting at an early retirement. Consequently, McLaren rookie, Oscar Piastri, has sidelined Verstappen’s sublime race-craft to label Hamilton as his inspiration for a career based on longevity.

Piastri said, as quoted by Speedcafe, “If I’m still driving race cars and loving what I’m doing at 40 years old, I think that’s a pretty good 18 years of my life well spent. When you’ve had the amount of success that Lewis has had, I can imagine why he loves it so much, and I think we all start out racing because we love it.”

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It is beautiful to see Hamilton become the idol of younger drivers, even though they are rivals on the grid. However, the Briton had never anticipated that he would be driving at the Pinnacle of Motorsport into his 40s.

Lewis Hamilton is pleasantly surprised with how his F1 career turned out

The game is not over yet. The chase for the prized and record-breaking 8th World championship continues. Lewis Hamilton might have visualized himself winning races and championships to manifest it. But what he never thought of was that his F1 career would span nearly 2 decades.

“I definitely didn’t think I would be at the age that I am and feel the way that I do, physically and mentally, and still love what I’m doing as much as I do,” said Hamilton. “And that’s something I’m incredibly grateful for.”

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Even though Mercedes hasn’t managed to show much promise for the coming 2 years, watching the 7x champ in action is surely a delightful feeling.