Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes man drops big hint over retirement thoughts for 2023

Lewis Hamilton has suggested that the tribulations of the 2022 campaign have motivated him to stay in Formula 1 for longer than he might have otherwise.

It has not been the season he or Mercedes would have wanted this year, with Red Bull and Ferrari having the strongest packages this campaign.

Indeed, the Silver Arrows are going to be losing their crown as Constructors’ champions and Lewis, of course, is going to have to wait at least a little while longer in that pursuit of an eighth-world Drivers’ title.

READ MORE: F1 2023 CALENDAR CONFIRMED

Had he had a season like so many others where he was dominant this year, though, he may well have been considering retirement by now, suggesting that it’s actually the setback of this year and the challenge of working through it and trying to get back on top that is inspiring and motivating him to continue and push back thoughts of retirement.

“Definitely, because it’s going to take longer than one year,” Hamilton said in an interview with RaceFans and other select media when asked if this tough spell might prolong his career.

I think if we had just won last year and then we would win this year, definitely life would be in a different place and you’d be on a different course. 

“I love that it’s gone through a phase even harder and we’ve got to pull through that thick slog and get to the point where we are a little bit lighter and we’re floating a little bit more. So yeah, I would say that it’s encouraged me to stay longer.

“Plus I’m feeling fit, I’m finding ways of feeling better physically. The mental challenge is a consistent thing and that will always be the case because that’s how it is for us athletes, we’re on the edge. 

“But right now, where I am in life, I’m really grateful