Hamilton: 'I'm built differently', does not rule out racing into the 2030s
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton said ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix that age has not diminished his abilities, though he stopped short of promising to race in the 2030s.
Lewis Hamilton, the British seven-time Formula 1 world champion driving for Ferrari, said on Thursday that he is "built differently" from other drivers and did not rule out racing into the 2030s. He spoke ahead of this weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, a round of the Formula 1 world championship, and stressed that he cannot know what the future holds.
Why the question arose
Earlier in October it was announced that Africa will return to the F1 calendar at some point in the 2030s with a race in Rwanda, the first on the continent since 1993. Hamilton had said he hoped to compete in it. He turns 42 in January and will be 45 at the start of the 2030 season, so it was initially unclear how seriously his remarks should be taken.
What Hamilton said
The driver pointed out that in the sport's 70-year history there has been nobody like him. He acknowledged that age may bring challenges he cannot foresee, but rejected the assumption that reaction time inevitably declines. By his account, his reaction in the last race was faster than that of some of the youngest drivers. Hamilton said he is willing to sacrifice everything, loves what he does and is "all in", but cannot say whether he will want to continue in four years. He added that he does not want to overstay his welcome if his performance drops.
Hamilton's contract with Ferrari is understood to run to the end of 2027, with an option for one more year. After moving from Mercedes to Ferrari for 2025, his first season prompted doubts about his form, but he has improved markedly in 2026, including a win in Barcelona.
The championship picture
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is set to clinch the Drivers' Championship this weekend with four races remaining. Four drivers are tightly battling for second place: Antonelli's team-mate George Russell is second, one point ahead of Hamilton, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen five points further back and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc three behind him. Hamilton said his focus is on securing second place for Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship, where the team leads Red Bull and McLaren by 119 points.
He hopes Mexico City's high altitude could suit the Ferrari car.
