Hamilton has one eye on retirement

Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he had contemplated when he would like to retire from Formula One.

The three-time Formula One World Champion signed a new three-year-contract in 2015 with Mercedes, after winning his first title with the German manufacturer.

At the time the Brit was set to be out-of-contract at the end of last season, but lengthy negotiations were eventually brought to a conclusion around 12 months ago.

The 31-year-old however is not looking to retire at the end of his current contract and actually believes he could race until his late 30’s.

‘Generally when I think about it [retirement], I have this three-year contract [running until the end of 2018]. I am hoping that I have another three or four years after that.’ Hamilton told motorsport.com.

Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg looks well placed to give Hamilton his strongest challenge for the title in recent times, but whilst Ferrari made all the right noises it looks as though Mercedes could remain the car to beat for some time, offering Hamilton the chance to add to his three titles to-date.

When asked if the ideal situation was to retire on the back of a Formula One World Championship he said: ‘We all are greedy, we always want more, You know that you have just won the championship, you still feel healthy, you still feel fit. Plus you know that next year is going to be the same year, it is just going to be good.

‘So you don’t want to stop and give it to the other guy. You want to stay in and get it again. So, I think it is a very hard thing to do and I am yet to know that I have the maturity and strength to walk away from something that I loved since five years old. Only time will tell.’