Lewis Hamilton Opens Up on Future with Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he could turn down a deal to stay on with Mercedes once he retires from driving.

Hamilton, 33, is under contract with Mercedes until the end of the 2020 season.

However, it is unclear how long he will continue driving thereafter.

The Brit secured his fifth world title this year which takes him up to joint-second in the all-time standings and just two win behind Michael Schumacher.

But beyond that he feels his future could lie away from Formula One, even if he was offered an “easy” job working alongside Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

“I don’t really know what’s beyond F1,” said Hamilton.

“A lot of sportsmen and women, when they stop competing, they’ve done it their whole life.

“I’ve been racing since I was eight. All my focus has been on this. In my part-time role outside F1 I’m trying to figure out what else I want to do or get involved in.

“Naturally it’s super-easy for me to come to all the grands prix after I’ve been racing, even be the number two to Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss] perhaps.

“I’ve been racing it for years, I know it just as well as anyone else. [But] I’m more intrigued to learn something new.”

Liberty Media, owners of F1, are set to introduce new regulation from 2021 as they attempt to make the sport more competitive.

And Hamilton is waiting to see the rule changes before deciding if he will continue racing.

“In 2021 the rules change a lot, Formula 1 is going through a bit of a dynamic shift with the new management,” added Hamilton.

“And the teams’ agreement, which Toto is going to be working hard on, comes to a point which they have to renegotiate.

“So, I’m keeping my ears close to the ground about the future.”