Lewis Hamilton, despite narrowly missing an eighth world title at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, states that achieving this milestone would not necessarily mark the end of his Formula 1 career, as he remains open to the future and draws inspiration from Fernando Alonso‘s return to the sport.
Highlights
‣ Lewis Hamilton, despite narrowly missing out on an eighth world title at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, does not see securing an eighth championship as his career’s end goal.
‣ Hamilton has expressed that achieving a record-breaking eighth world title would not necessarily mean he would retire from Formula 1 racing immediately.
‣ He remains open to the possibility of staying active in Formula 1 in some capacity after his racing career, though he does not feel a strong desire to do so at the moment.
‣ Hamilton also entertains the idea of taking a sabbatical from racing, similar to Fernando Alonso’s break before returning to F1, suggesting he might consider a comeback if he misses the competition.
Lewis Hamilton was so close to clinching the World Championship at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Yet, fate had other plans. Instead of celebrating an eighth world title, Hamilton watched as Max Verstappen claimed his first. It’s easy to assume that Hamilton’s chasing that elusive eighth title, but he begs to differ.
### Hamilton: ‘Never said an eighth title would be the end point’
Hamilton’s got something to say about that. Securing an eighth world title? Sure, it’s on his mind. But it’s not the finish line for him. “I never said that an eighth title would be the end point,” he revealed to Formula One Magazine. At 39, the Briton’s future in F1 is a topic of much speculation.
What’s next for Hamilton, post-F1? Even he’s not sure. “I don’t necessarily feel in myself the desire to stay active in Formula 1 any longer after that,” he muses. Yet, he’s quick to add, “never say never.” It’s this unpredictability that keeps his fans on their toes.
Hamilton can’t picture himself just hanging around the pit box, not being the one behind the wheel. If he’s there, he’d probably itch to race again. “So probably it would be better to take a sabbatical and then see if I would still want to come back,” he ponders. It’s a thought, isn’t it?
Speaking of comebacks, Fernando Alonso’s story springs to mind. After a brief hiatus, Alonso returned to F1 with a bang, securing a seat at Alpine. Fast forward to 2023, and he’s with Aston Martin, enjoying a stellar season. At 42, Alonso’s proving age is just a number in F1.
