LEWIS HAMILTON admits he could retire THIS YEAR over his “love-hate relationship” with Formula One.
The Mercedes ace, 39, has won a joint-record seven world titles in the sport.
Lewis Hamilton admits he could retire from F1 later this yearRex
But his last victory came in 2020.
And the past three years have seen Red Bull’s Max Verstappen emerge as F1’s dominant force.
The new season is just around the corner, with the first race in Bahrain taking place on March 2.
Mercedes hope the return of Hamilton’s former right-hand man Marc Hynes will help the Brit get back on course.
But Hamilton, whose contract runs until 2025, admits he could quit F1 altogether at the end of the year.
The ace previously stated several years ago that he was unlikely to still be racing at the age of 40.
And when reminded of that statement, Hamilton told Formule1.nl: “That is still possible.
“I have no set plan for the future – I still feel fit and still enjoy what I do.
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“I’ve now learned that you should never say never in life.
“I never thought that, after such a long time in Formula One, I would still feel the same love for the sport.
“It is a love-hate relationship – at times you love it more than at others.
“I think there comes a point when you’ve had enough. But the love is still there.”
Family plans
Hamilton also lifted the lid on plans to start a family.
He added: “I don’t have time for that. I enjoy being an uncle. I haven’t decided yet whether I want children.
“I don’t have time for it at the moment. If I want a family, I should focus less on racing and I don’t want to do that.
“There is a time and place for everything. Fortunately, I don’t have to make that decision now, maybe some day.”