© Sebastian Kawka for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
Lewis Hamilton says “it would probably be better to take a sabbatical and then see if I want to come back”, before retiring from Formula 1 for real.
Last year Lewis Hamilton extended his Mercedes contract until the end of 2025, but the Briton has already hinted that he wants to continue driving for the team even beyond that.
Some believe that Lewis’ ultimate goal is to win his eighth Formula 1 world title (that was unjustly taken away from him in 2021), and then retire as the undisputed most successful driver of all-time.
Lewis, however, says that’s not the case.
“I’ve never said an eighth title would be the end point,” the Briton told Dutch magazine Formule 1.
“But I don’t know what comes next after Formula 1. I don’t necessarily feel like I’d want to stay active in Formula 1, but never say never.
“But I can’t imagine not driving anymore and still being in the pit box somewhere. I’d just be thinking: ‘I could have stuck with it another year.’
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“So it would probably be better to take a sabbatical and then see if I want to come back.”
Interestingly, there is some speculation going around that Lewis’ close friend Sebastian Vettel, who retired from Formula 1 at the end of 2022, could return to the grid once again.
Lewis says he will not be surprised if that turns out to be the case.
“It didn’t surprise me, because you see it more often with retired drivers now. Fernando came back, Michael Schumacher did too.
“I’ve also seen it with athletes from other sports and have spoken to a few about it. They said: ‘You lose something you’ve done all your life, suddenly it’s gone.’
“I can imagine it’s an incredible hole to fall into,” Hamilton concluded.
