Lewis Hamilton has admitted he sees his long-term future at Mercedes and wants to stay for "longer" than another year despite enduring a tough season so far.
Hamilton, 38, finished sixth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday to remain fourth in the Drivers Standings behind Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez and leader Max Verstappen.
He has picked up 48 points from four races and remains in the running for a record eighth World Championship title, although Red Bull and Verstappen's form have put the Dutchman in pole position for another crown.
With Hamilton's current contract at Mercedes heading into its final year, the Stevenage-born driver could be set to leave the outfit at the end of the season. However, Hamilton doesn't want to depart anytime soon and is hoping to pen an extension to his deal.
Hamilton told reporters after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix: "I'm thinking long term. I don't want to stay here for another year. I want to stay longer."
This is a different approach to what Hamilton said two years ago about his future in Formula 1 and claimed back then he hoped he wasn't racing at 40. He turns 39 next year and is approaching that age.
"I honestly hope I’m not racing at 40," he said in 2021, adding that "there are so many things I want to do that it would be difficult". He did at that time, though, admit that his feelings on that subject might change.
And it appears Mercedes' struggles over the past this year have sparked such a shift. Even though he has this season left on his contract with the Silver Arrows, he appears determined not to leave the team until he has played his part in restoring them back to the top of the pile.
Should Lewis Hamilton join Mercedes? Let us know in the comments below!
"Definitely, because it's going to take longer than one year," said Hamilton in 2022. "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 for the opportunity I have here. I like to think I still deserve a place here. So there is lots of work to do."
