18 April 2023 , 09:59
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Lewis Hamilton has made his future plans to stay at Mercedes clear and pledged to follow in the footsteps of another British Formula 1 legend.
Hamilton's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023 season and he and Mercedes have yet to agree terms on a contract extension. But the British driver has made his intentions clear and doubled down on his pledge that he will remain with the Silver Arrows until the end of his career.
The seven-time world champion said he "feels amazing" about the prospect of a Mercedes future, having previously declared the carmaker to be his racing "family". He has also expressed a desire to follow in the footsteps of Sir Stirling Moss.
When asked about his future at Mercedes Hamilton said: "I feel amazing about it. I continue to feel very much at home. It's family. I see myself being with Mercedes until my last days, to be honest”.
Hamilton also said it would be a "dream" to finish his career at the German team, comparing his situation to former driver Moss. He said: "If you look at legends, Sir Stirling Moss was with Mercedes 'til the end of days. So that's been the dream for me to one day have that... well I have that, so I mean just continue on with that and continue to build with the brand."
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Mercedes struggled to find pace in the 2022 F1 season and those issues have carried over into the current campaign. Team principal Toto Wolff admitted it is only natural for Hamilton to look elsewhere if they cannot produce a competitive car.
Toto Wolff wouldn't be surprised if Lewis Hamilton considered his options (Getty Images)However, despite it looking unlikely Hamilton will chase for his eighth world championship this season, he quickly dismissed these claims. "I think, for me personally, just as long as I can continue to help the team, as long as I can continue to help drive the team forwards and really contribute, then that's why I want to stay," he added.
"If there's ever going to be a point where I feel like I'm not able to do that, then it's time for a youngster to come in to take my seat. But I'm still pretty young, in pretty decent shape."
Hamilton has been linked strongly with a potential Ferrari move, while more outlandish speculation has even suggested he could be tempted by a dominant Red Bull team. But he has no concerns about securing a Mercedes extension, adding: "We'll get there unless something catastrophic happens... maybe me and Toto get into the ring!"