MEXICO CITY: Lewis Hamilton has said he hopes to sign a new multi-year contract with Mercedes and continue racing in Formula One into his forties.
Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion revealed he was in talks with the team about another multi-year.
Asked about his future, Hamilton, 37, said: “You’re stuck with me for quite a bit longer.
“We are going to do another deal. We are going to sit down and discuss it in these next couple of months.”
Hamilton, who will be 38 on January 5, joined Mercedes in 2013 after starting his F1 career with McLaren in 2007.
He won his first title in 2008 and holds records for most victories (103) and pole positions (103), but this year faces completing a season without winning a single race for the first time.
“I want to keep racing,” he said.
“I love what I do. I’ve been doing it for 30 years and I don’t feel that I should have to stop. I think I am currently still earning my keep. I still want to do better.
“I could stop now — and I have lots of other things in the pipeline that I will be super-focused and super-busy with — (but) I’m here for the sheer love of working in the organization that I’m in.
“Mercedes-Benz have stuck with me through thick and thin. They stuck with me through being expelled at school.
“They stuck with me through everything that was going on through 2020. They’ve stuck with me through my mistakes and through the ups and downs.”
He declined to consider if he could be described as Formula One’s ‘greatest of all time’ driver.
When asked by American television host Jimmy Kilmmel, he replied: “I know what I am. I know how good I am, but I don’t really like to talk about it.
“I like to just do the talking on the track.
“That’s what my dad always said. When I was a kid when we were racing, we were on the receiving end of a lot of discrimination because we were the only people of color on the racetrack.
“My dad said just do my talking on the track. So, even today I don’t feel like I need to say anything. I just let my what I’m doing on the circuit, what I’m doing off the circuit, kind of talk.”
After a disappointing start to the season, when his Mercedes car suffered chronic ‘porpoising’ and bouncing problems, Hamilton has gradually clawed his way back to form and led last Sunday’s United States Grand Prix before finishing second behind world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff said: “Lewis drove an outstanding race to finish second — we need to keep this momentum going. While we didn’t quite have the pace to win, it was great to be in the mix at the front and leading the race.”
He added that Mercedes felt cautiously optimistic about this Sunday’s race although Hamilton suggested a race win this year was unlikely.
Hamilton also made clear that he had no interest in being handed the 2021 title by the International Motoring Federation (FIA) if it was as a result of Red Bull’s breach of last year’s budget cap, an offense for which no punishment has been agreed or announced.
“When I heard about this cost thing, for sure, it brings up a little bit of emotion because you kind of bury it and move on and then it comes back up — and it’s like another kick,” he said.
“But I’ve moved on from it. I refuse to live in the past.”
Hamilton hoping to race on past 40 with new Mercedes contract
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Hamilton hoping to race on past 40 with new Mercedes contract
- The seven-time world champion revealed he was in talks with the team about another multi-year x
- The seven-time world champion revealed he was in talks with the team about another multi-year Asked about his future, Hamilton, 37, said: "You're stuck with me for quite a bit longer”
Ferreira sets sights on North America Cup
RIYADH: Ricardo Ferreira dominated last weekend’s Saudi Cup qualifying card and hopes to take this Friday’s feature at King Abdulaziz Racecourse with Man of the Night (FR) in the $40,000 (SR150,000) North America Cup.
Carrying the same colors of Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah as when landing the Saudi Cup qualifier and the 2000 Guineas on Saturday as part of a four-timer, Ferreira will partner the veteran nine-year-old who was a Ministry of Culture Cup winner last February.
The owner is also represented by Muhammad Al-Daham’s mount Ajwadi (GB) in the 12-strong field over 1,600 meters, with the Red Stable of Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz sending out the Sami Alharab-trained Annafel (USA), who steps up in grade having got off the mark in handicap company last time.
A full field of 20 has been declared for the $40,000 UK Cup over 1,800 meters in which Ferreira rides Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah’s Pretty Flag (IRE), whose most recent success came in the domestic Group 2 Prince Sultan Ben Abdulaziz Cup in March.
Red Stable is doubly represented with Al Abjar (IRE) and the top-rated Almaan (USA), with the rival White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz also having two runners in the shape of Electability (USA) and the Camilio Ospina-ridden Faal Khair (USA).
Causeway (USA) makes a quick reappearance in the race under champion jockey Adel Al-Fouraidi after taking sixth behind Bolide Porto (IRE) in the Neom Turf Cup qualifier – the Listed Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup — last weekend.
The other feature on Friday is the $40,000 Ministry of Media Cup over the shorter 1,400 meters and Ferreira could gain feature as he gets aboard Red Stable runner and joint top-rated Latin America Cup winner Jahdoon (KSA).
His main rival from his 19 opponents could be Abdullah Al-Fairouz’s mount for the White Stable, Lilaelem (KSA), who carries the same rating and is unexposed as the winner of three of his seven starts but drops back from 1,600 meters.
Zefzaf (USA) landed last weekend’s 1351 Turf Sprint Qualifier sponsored by Saudia and his form should be boosted as the runner-up Love De Vega (IRE) is a clear pick in the 10-runner $32,000, 1,200 meters open that kicks off Friday’s card.
The Red and White stables should fight out the finish in the $32,000 1,351 meters sprint fielding four of the 10 runners with the latter represented by Fouj (USA) and last weekend’s Riyadh Dirt Sprint Qualifier sponsored by Nova second Jeddah Beach (USA).
However, Red Stable could pack a punch with the seventh from that race Hajes (GB) and Ferreira’s mount Fearnot (IRE), who makes his KSA debut after being sold for 500,000 guineas to Najd Stud / Archdale Bloodstock at the Tattersalls Sales last October, having raced in the UK for Clive Cox where he was a three-time winner from eight starts.
Saturday’s feature is the $40,000 Aseer Region Governorate Cup for three-year-olds over 1,400 meters, in which Ferreira again holds claims for the Red Stable with the once-rated winner Gaab (KSA), who was a tidy winner for the rider on New Year’s Day.
