Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes ace drops major hint over retirement in 2021
Hamilton won his fourth world championship this year, bouncing back from the disappointment of losing the title to Nico Rosberg in 2016. The British driver is currently in talks with Mercedes over a new contract as his deal is set to expire at the end of 2018. Rosberg surprisingly retired shortly after winning the championship but Hamilton has insisted he still enjoys racing. In 2021, Formula One is set to introduce major new changes to regulations aimed at cutting costs and increasing competitiveness between teams.
GETTY Lewis Hamilton is in talks over a new contract
F1 2017 Drivers' World Championship standings Sun, November 26, 2017 Express Sport runs through the final F1 2017 Drivers' World Championship standings Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 23 Click to reveal the F1 Drivers' Championship standings
Maybe in 2021 I’ll hand the baton over to George Russell Lewis Hamilton
And Hamilton has suggested 2021 as a possible retirement date and name-checked Russell, who has come through Mercedes’ junior driver programme, as a potential replacement. Hamilton told Motorsport.tv’s weekly programme The Flying Lap: “I think about what is ahead of me. "I have spoken to those who have retired early, those who retired late and everyone says stay in as long as you can. That's not going to happen.
GETTY George Russell tested for Mercedes this season