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.
Hamilton insists he has the same desire as his old McLaren team-mate. "I don't plan on stopping any time soon. I'm not at the end of my career, I'm not in the downhill slope of my career. I'm in my prime," he told ESPN.
"It all depends on how hard I want to work and keep myself in my prime, in terms of physical and mental capability. If you look at LeBron [James], if you look at Tom Brady, they have shown that it can be sustained for as long as you are dedicated enough to put the energy and time in.
"Right now, I don't plan on changing, I only plan on adding to the drive and the motivation and to being better. I'm massively driven." And he went on to specify that, despite more rumours that he might leave for a team better placed for a title challenge, he still sees his future being with Mercedes.
But Hamilton did admit to fantasising about what it might be like to make a switch at this point in his career. He added: "I'd be lying if I said I'd never thought about ending my career anywhere else.
"I started at McLaren, I'd like to think I'll always be a part of the McLaren family, I started there when I was 13 years old so I thought about what it would look like if I was at McLaren one day.
"I thought about and watched the Ferrari drivers on the screens at the track and of course you wonder what it would be like to be in red... But then I go to my team, to Mercedes, and this is my home. I'm happy where I am. I haven't signed a contract yet, but we are working on one."
