Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton could race into his 40s after Toto Wolff update

Toto Wolff has suggested that a contract extension for Lewis Hamilton is likely at Mercedes, and the Briton could race into his 40s in Formula 1.

Hamilton currently has a contract with the Silver Arrows until the end of 2023 and has previously said that he did not have the intention of racing into his 40s, like Kimi Raikkonen did and Fernando Alonso is doing.

However, he has spoken this year about how energised and fresh he still feels and it sounds as though he could well be remaining in the sport past his 40th birthday, which is in just over two years from now.

Indeed, speaking to Channel 4 in a recently aired interview, Wolff suggested that a contract extension is likely going to be signed and that Hamilton has suggested he feels as though he has another five years in him in the sport at least, which would take him into his early 40s.

“The advantage is we speak a lot together,” said the Austrian.

“Just last week we sat down and he says ‘look, I have another five years in me, how do you see that?’”

“Over time we have just grown together. We are totally transparent with each other. Lewis will be the first one to say ‘I can’t do this anymore because I feel I haven’t got the reactions anymore, or I’ve just lost fun doing it and there is another generation growing up that is just very strong.’

“So I have no doubt that whatever we agree on a contract extension, which is going to happen, that we both are always going to discuss, very openly, what does the future hold.”

Hamilton has said how the struggles of this year at Mercedes have actually made him hungrier to bounce back and so perhaps that, and the fact he remains so close to world title number eight – which would be a record, is what is driving him on to stick