Auto Express

Hamilton wants to stay at Mercedes ‘until the day I die’



MONZA, ItalyLewis Hamilton insists he has no plans to retire from Formula 1 after this disappointing season, and the seven-time world champion added that he wants to stay Mercedes “until the day I die.”

Hamilton won through 15 races this season and ranked 6th in the rankings. He’s chasing the reigning world champion Max Verstappenwho beat Hamilton for the title last year in a controversial season-ending race, with 152 points going into the hands of the Italian grand opening on Sunday.

Mercedes’ poor launch of the 2022 draggy car put Hamilton at risk of going through the first winless season of his 16-year career.

There is speculation that Daniel Ricciardo could move to Mercedes as a reserve driver next season, then take over from Hamilton when the Briton’s contract expires at the end of 2023.

“For years, we’ve been going around, ups and downs with stories of retirement and stopping and for me, I feel healthier than ever,” said 37-year-old Hamilton when asked about that while sitting. next to Ricciardo at a news conference on Thursday.

“Because I’m so focused on that, I feel fit, I love what I’m doing and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

He then turned to Ricciardo, who whispered to Hamilton during the 30-minute press conference, “Sorry, man.”

Hamilton is in his 10th season with Mercedes. He moved there after six seasons with McLaren.

“I like that we have the long term partnership that we have. I feel like we’re embarking on doing a lot of really positive things, not just in sports but outside,” Hamilton continued.

“And I think there’s a lot of work to be done together. So I want to be a part of that, I think I will always be with Mercedes, until the day I die. And I feel like I can race a little bit longer so I’ll be able to move towards that. “

Hamilton received a grid penalty for using a fourth power supply – an over-limited one – as a result of his crash at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Ricciardo wins at Monza last year to score McLaren’s first F1 winning since 2012. But he enters this year’s race with an uncertain future after the acquisition has been negotiated with the Australian in the final year of his McLaren contract.

“I’m really evaluating everything and I mean, in the short term, I don’t have anything yet,” Ricciardo said. “And I think when I say, I’ll be the first to tell you, there’s no reason for me to withhold any information right now. It’s kind of all open and there.

“So I’m sure that over time, the right thing, whatever it is, will make sense in the end,” he continued. It’s beyond 2023. So it’s complicated, but as I know it, you’ll do it. “

___

Added AP auto racing





Source link

news7h

News7h: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button