The last person we would have expected to crop up during the silly season of F1 this year was Lewis Hamilton. Even though the Brit and his Mercedes team have been down in the dumps ever since the 2022 regulation reset, the 7x champion and the Silver Arrows are synonymous with each other in this sport. Yet, as the days keep ticking down to the end of this season, the pen hasn’t been put to paper, at least officially, on a new deal for the Brit.

Hamilton’s existing contract with Mercedes ends this year. And with a driver of Hamilton’s stature and accolades, you’d have expected a deal to be finalized way sooner. That being said, now, with only 9 races to go, only rumors of a $54,000,000 deal are flying around. What’s more? Even that deal isn’t free of roadblocks and impediments that threaten the very association that conquered the turbo-hybrid era of our glorious sport. So, where does Hamilton go?

Lewis Hamilton breaks his silence on impending F1 future decision

If a negotiation cannot be reached at the Brackley-based team, Hamilton’s chances at other teams look very slim. He’s already refused an association with Ferrari. Red Bull won’t take him as long as Max Verstappen exists, and he wouldn’t want to drive for a midfield or lower team anyway. Then, is Hamilton going to retire at the end of the 2023 season?

While speaking to Robb Report, Hamilton divulged, “I still love racing. More than ever. I always feel I can be better. When I hit a limit, I love the challenge of figuring out how to strengthen my body to get past that. It’s that idea you can get better at everything. So I’m going to be here for a good chunk of time. You’re definitely going to get tired of me.”

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But amid this stretched-out contractual saga, Lewis Hamilton has given his most hard-hitting response yet.

Hamilton gives 5-word Mercedes contract update

It’s going to be impossible to believe that Hamilton won’t end his career at Mercedes. Yet, the 7x champion is adamant that he has many years more to come in F1. So, how close is the Brit to signing that contract extension with the Silver Arrows?

Sky Sports F1 quoted him as saying, “I’m staying where I am. It just takes time. We just had this break, as well. In this break, no-one has been thinking about it. Hopefully it will be done soon.” 

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Do you think Mercedes and Hamilton will announce this rumored deal before the Italian Grand Prix?