MONTREAL (AP) 鈥� Lewis Hamilton has pushed back against what he calls people 鈥渢rying to retire me鈥� and insists he’ll be staying in for 鈥渜uite some time鈥� to come.
The 41-year-old seven-time F1 champion appeared to confirm that his Ferrari contract covers as he was asked about next year after an to his second season with the Italian team.
鈥淚鈥檓 still in contract, so everything鈥檚 100% clear to me. I鈥檓 still focused, I’m still motivated, I still love what I do with all my heart, and I鈥檓 going to be here for quite some time, so get used to it,鈥� he said Thursday ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of people that are trying to retire me, and that鈥檚 not even on my thoughts. I鈥檓 already thinking of what will be next and planning for the next five years. But yeah, I still plan to be here for some time.鈥�
Hamilton earned his first Grand Prix podium for Ferrari in China in March after a wait of over a year, but he’s behind teammate Charles Leclerc in the standings and has been stuck on a record 105 wins since his last victory with Mercedes in 2024.
Hamilton’s tears for Arsenal
Hamilton also acknowledged he was tearful this week after his boyhood soccer team Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the .
鈥淚 think, like for everyone, very emotional. I shed a tear to be honest,鈥� he said. The last time Arsenal won the title, Hamilton was a 19-year-old aspiring racer competing in Formula 3.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had so many close moments and to finally get it was, 鈥榳ow.鈥� A lot of emotion came up for me, and as I鈥檓 sure for so many people. I鈥檓 just so happy and proud of the team,鈥� Hamilton added.
鈥淭he direction they鈥檝e gone in the past couple of years has been just fantastic, so very inspired by what they鈥檝e done. Really, really proud of the team. And I think they can go from strength to strength from here and only get stronger.鈥�
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