Now on the verge of fulfilling a lifelong dream and donning Ferrari’s suit, Lewis Hamilton is fully aware of having to contend with the passage of time.
The seven-time world champion, who will turn 40 on January 7, has signed a three-year contract with the Maranello team, committing him to race (at least) until he’s 42, with hopes of claiming the much-coveted eighth title in red.
Will the Englishman hang up his helmet at the end of 2027, or will he continue, like Fernando Alonso, as long as his mind and body allow?
‘Lewis knows when his career will end’
In an interview with The Mirror, Matt Whyman, author of *Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane*, shared more details on what could be Hamilton’s retirement date: “I asked him directly what was happening, and he responded: ‘Every young racer dreams of racing for Ferrari.’
‘He told me he didn’t want to reach the end of his career and look back wondering: What if?’
‘He says he knows when his career will end. He has a very clear plan in mind. He said it means a lot to him to have won all those races with Mercedes and to have taken on this journey.’
‘The one thing he hasn’t done that he thought about is: “I don’t want to leave and regret not doing it.”’
When asked directly if he already had a date in mind for that crucial decision, Lewis Hamilton recently answered: ‘Absolutely, yes.’
‘There are days when I think, “I don’t know how much longer I can keep going.” There are days when I think, “Wow, I need a real break.” Because there’s not truly a break in the season as in other sports. You don’t finish until mid- or late December, then you’re already back training in January, with two workouts a day. There are also a couple of hours of therapy during that time. So, there isn’t a lot of free time. And from February, you’re racing until December.’
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