Lewis Hamilton claims to be super relaxed despite contract negotiations with Mercedes and the 33-year-old has hinted that this could be his last contract as a Formula One driver.
Hamilton is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of 2018 season, but negotiations with the team manager Toto Wolf are already under way.
The British driver said last month that he hoped to find some common ground before the start of the new season, but he confirmed on Wednesday that it was unlikely that his fate would be known before the first race of the campaign, in Melbourne.
“We started talking over the winter, then I put that aside, then we started negotiating again, and then I put it aside. It’s not really my priority right now,” Hamilton told to The Associated Press.
“I am very relaxed. I don’t feel any pressure from the team or from my side. I want to continue to do what I am doing so I will have to sign a contract, but I will not do it because people tell me to do it. I’ll do it when I’m ready.” Hamilton added.
If he signs a new deal with Mercedes, it is expected to be for another three seasons. And although he claims to be able to stay at the top of his game for seven more seasons, the four-time world champions is not sure he will continue the F1 adventure for so long.
“I don’t want to stop too early, that’s for sure, but I do not know when the time will be right. I could probably go on until I was 40 if I wanted to, but I do not think so.” Hamilton told.
“I could stay a year or two more, but I do not know if I would have the same spirit as the season approaches in two years than the spirit I’m feeling now.” he added.
Lewis Hamilton walks away with his rival Sebastian Vettel. (Source:www.tsn.com)
This season, Hamilton will attempt to become the third driver to win more than four world titles, after Michael Schumacher won seven titles and Juan Manuel Fangio won five titles. However, he argues that he would not think about this situation.
“I was always asked how I would feel if I won a third title, then a fourth. You never really know. It’s like asking someone how he would feel if he won the lottery. I’m sure it would be good feeling, but you can not really anticipate it.” Hamilton told.
