Lewis Hamilton declared "I'm not at the end of my career" as he gave his clearest hint to date that he still intends to sign a new contract with Mercedes.
Hamilton's current deal expires at the end of this season and, despite talks being held, there is no news of an extension yet. That, combined with the fact the Brit will have turned 39 before the start of next season, has led to inevitable speculation that he might retire from Formula 1.
But as sports science continues to evolve and athletes are able to take better care of their bodies, those with the most dedication are able to continue at the elite level for longer. Fernando Alonso is an excellent example of that – the Spaniard has three podiums to his name already this season and is a few months away from his 42nd birthday.
