Hamilton Reveals When He Plans to Retire

Lewis Hamilton, who will turn 40 in January, has opened up about his retirement plans and what might eventually lead him to leave Formula 1. Despite his age and upcoming transition to Ferrari, Hamilton says he still feels a “huge thrill” every time he steps into the car, which is why he continues to race.

The 39-year-old driver has signed a multi-year deal with Ferrari, and 2025 will mark his 19th season in Formula 1. Despite his long career, Hamilton says he still gets the same excitement when he starts a race, which keeps him going.

Hamilton explained, “Every time I get strapped into the car and they fire up the engine, I feel that same excitement. And then, when the tire blankets come off and I head out of the pit lane toward the first corner, just doing that first lap, I always feel a huge thrill.”

“There are so many moments where I pinch myself, thinking how lucky I am to still be doing this. It’s something I wish everyone could experience and feel. And that’s probably why I’m still racing—because it hasn’t become routine, and I still feel that excitement.”

“If I were numb to it, that would be awful, and I’d probably be doing something else by now. But to get that feeling elsewhere, I’d have to fly a fighter jet or something like that.”

Hamilton, who has previously spoken about having a retirement plan, emphasized that he would continue racing at the highest level for as long as he could. In an interview with Esquire magazine last month, he admitted, “Some days, I’m like, ‘Damn, I don’t know how much longer I can keep going.'”

“Some days, I think, ‘I would love to take a break,’ because, unlike other sports, you don’t get a big break during the season. There’s not really a long rest period. But mentally, I have a plan for how long I want to continue.”

“I just need to set a strategy and get things in order. Will there come a time when I’m not fully invested, when I’m not in love with it anymore? I hope that never happens. I hope I never lose my love for the sport.”