© Paul Ripke for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Lewis Hamilton joked that he needs the 39-year-old Kimi Raikkonen to stay in Formula 1, so that there is someone older than him on the grid.
Hamilton, who turned 35 earlier this month, is one of the oldest drivers currently active in Formula 1. The Briton however doesn’t feel that’s a problem.
“I need to start paying Kimi to stay so I’m not the oldest,” joked the Briton.
“Luckily, I think he’s going to keep going.
“I don’t feel old at all. I feel as young as ever. I feel fit, fitter than ever. Everything just works better now, with the experience I have.
“I don’t even think it’s harder to stay physically in shape, although I’m sure that will inevitably tail off at some point.
“I love what I do. You’re constantly being challenged. I’d won the championship and I was already in touch with Bono to make notes on things we could improve on.”
Although 2019 was as perfect a year for Hamilton as could be expected, the six-time champion wants an even smoother ride in 2020.
“It’s been relatively consistent in 2019, but there were some ups and downs.
“We always want to be able pull more out of qualifying, in particular, understand the tyres a bit better, extract more from the technology.
“And all these young kids are coming up and getting fiercer and fiercer. So you’ve got to work twice as hard.”
You can read more of Hamilton’s thoughts in the British GQ magazine interview, where Hamilton talks about the benefits of going vegan, his quest for racing excellence and more.
