Lewis Hamilton has insisted he is “set up differently” as he continues to rule out extending his Formula 1 career into the 2030s.
After announcing in early October that Africa would return to the Formula 1 calendar in Rwanda in the 2030s, Hamilton said he hoped to compete in the continent’s first grand prix since 1993.
Given that Hamilton turns 42 in January and will be 45 at the start of the 2030 F1 season, it is far from certain that he will be ready for the circuit in Rwanda, it was initially unclear how seriously his comments would be taken.
Asked about the topic on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion said: “I mean, first of all, there’s been nobody like me here in 70 years. [of the sport’s history]so I feel like I’m built differently.
“Of course there are age-related challenges ahead that I can’t predict. But along the way, on this journey, there’s been a lot of preconceived notions that your reaction time slows down.
“Did you see my reaction in the last race? My reaction is faster than some of the younger people here. There are a lot of tools you can use to keep yourself, your mind sharp.
“I think as long as you’re willing to sacrifice everything, in my current state, I can’t say if I want to be doing what I’m doing in four years. But I love what I’m doing now. I’m still in it and I will be for the foreseeable future.”
Hamilton’s current contract with Ferrari is understood to run until the end of the 2027 season, with the Briton having the option to extend by a further year if he wishes.
After a blockbuster switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Hamilton’s performances in his first year in red have at times raised doubts about whether the driver himself has lost his skills, but he bounced back with a much-improved 2026 campaign, including a memorable win at Barcelona.
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As Kimi Antonelli prepares to take the title in Mexico City this weekend, we look back at Hamilton’s dramatic 2017 title triumph, finishing P9 after a first-lap collision involving Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
Hamilton continued: “Who knows if I can compete with a 20-year-old at 44? But I can compete with a 20-year-old at 41. So whether I’ll be here in the 2030s, time will tell, we’ll see.
“But I still don’t want to overstay my welcome in the sense of not having the performance. I don’t really want to drive it down.
“I lost my reaction, my drive lost and my pace lost, which everyone assumed last year. But I proved everyone wrong with that and I will continue to do that.”
Hamilton’s focus is on the Constructors’ Championship, not the Drivers’ Championship
While Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is poised to seal the Drivers’ Championship with four races to go this weekend, Hamilton is part of an extremely tight four-way battle for second place in the standings.
Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell is second, one point ahead of Hamilton, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen five points behind and the other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc a further three behind.
Hamilton insists Ferrari have a 119-point lead over Red Bull and McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, while Mercedes have a 133-point lead.
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Hamilton, the driver of the Ferrari team, won his first victory in the red jersey at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
“I won’t say that [second in the Drivers’ Championship] It doesn’t mean anything, but it’s not something I focus on,” Hamilton said. “Winning the championship is the only thing any of us really care about.
“Maybe some people care about other positions, but for me, my only focus is on us securing second place in the Constructors’ Championship, because the team deserves it.
“It’s a big boost from last year and it’s really something we can build on for next year.
“You want to finish first in terms of being second, third, fourth.”
“The car should be fine here”
Hamilton hopes Ferrari can have a strong weekend in Mexico, where many believe the turbo element of their engine, which is smaller than that of its rivals, can dominate at high altitude.
Asked about Ferrari’s chances, Hamilton said: “Someone just said it should be good for our car and I have no idea.
“I mean, everybody’s going to have maximum downforce here. It’s going to be an unusual experience for all of us because it’s 25 or 30 percent less downforce than the last time we drove here.
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Speaking on the F1 Show podcast, Ant Davidson explains why Ferrari could dominate this weekend’s Mexico Grand Prix.
“So can we get the tires going… the car should be fine here.
“And because we have a high altitude, I’m hoping that the straight-line speed won’t be affected as much as it is in some other places where sea-level drag is significant.
“So hopefully we can continue the strong performance we had last year and bring it into this weekend.”
Sky Sports F1 live Mexico City GP schedule
Friday, October 30
18:00: Mexico City Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 18:30)*
20:00: The F1 Show
21:00: Press conference of team leaders
21:30: Mexico City Grand Prix 2nd practice (session starts at 22:00)*
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Take a look at the most dramatic moments from the Mexico City Grand Prix
Saturday, October 31
17.15: Mexico City Grand Prix 3rd practice (session starts at 18.30)
20:00: Mexico City Grand Prix Qualifying round preparation
21:00: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday, November 1
17:00: F1 Academy Race 3
18:30: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP build-up
20:00: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
22:00: Checkered Flag: Mexico City GP reaction
11:00 p.m.: Ted’s notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 heads south for the second round of the American triathlon this weekend with the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports NOW – no contract, cancel whenever you want