Lewis Hamilton has revealed the moment he feels it would be “time for a youngster” to replace him at Mercedes.
Speculation has begun to swirl around the seven-time world champion’s future after another difficult start to the Formula 1 season in 2023.
Just two weeks ago in Jeddah, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted he wouldn’t “grouch” if Hamilton left after “a year or two” should the team continue failing to give him a championship-contending car.
But speaking ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, the 38-year-old has made it clear he won’t desert the company that has been crucial to his motorsport career.
“I continue to feel very much at home in this family,” he said via ESPN.
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“I see myself with Mercedes until my last days, to be honest. I have amazing allies within the team, and great relationships here.
“Just as long as I can continue to help drive the team forward, really contribute… if there’s ever going to be a point where I feel like I’m unable to do that, it’s time for a youngster to come in.”
Despite the doom and gloom around Mercedes, who admits going the wrong way with the design of the W14, Hamilton also put a positive spin on the team’s current form.
“If you look at the last race, I think it was a decent result given the pace disadvantage we had in qualifying,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“We still managed to get fourth and fifth and we’re second in the Constructors’ Championship at the moment.
“We beat the Ferraris, who have definitely started with a better package than we have.”
And as for this weekend, the Briton wants some outside help to spice up the action and close the gap to Red Bull.
“I think I’m just hoping for some rain if I’m really honest,” he admitted. “It would make it a little bit more exciting for us from my point of view.
“I’m just hoping the gap isn’t a second and I hope that we can just hit the ground running with the set-up.”