The seven-time world champion’s current deal expires at the end of the upcoming 2023 season but both Hamilton and Mercedes have outlined their desire to agree a contract ex𝓀tension. 

Hamilton, who turned 38 earlier ꦏthis month, is expected to sign a multi-year deal that will see him compete in 🦄F1 past his 40th birthday. 

• Hamilton’s huge contract demands at Mercedes are “without foundation”

Although Hamilton has no ♏plans to quit just yet, he has already acknowledged the challengꦍe he will face when the time does come to stop racing. 

“It will be really hard when ꩲI stop racing,” Hamilton told the On Purpose podcast. “𒊎I have been racing 30 years. What can match that? 

“Nothing can match being in the stadium, being at the🍨 race, being at the pinnacle of the sport, coming throug🍸h the grid.

“When I do stop there will be a big hole. I amℱ trying to find things to replace ℱthat, that will be just as rewarding, like Mission 44.

“That is way more rewarding than winn🌠ing the race.🤡”

Haඣmilton has already started to pursue other int🍌erests in the fashion and music industy as he begins to consider life without racing, but the adrenaline-junkie insists he is “most at peace when I’m doing 200mph”. 

“I have never had that fear [of speed],” he said. “If you go on a ski slope and see kids go by, kids are generall🌳y fearless, right?

“As you get older and h💙urt yourself a lꦿittle bit, you protect yourself.

“I just don’t have [fearও]. It wasn’t something th💖at was necessarily put in me. I am terrified of spiders!

“But when I’m doingಌ 200mph that’s when I am most at peace. I am flowing. I’m in my element.&nbsꦫp;

“There is a natural ability, rightꩵ? I can focus for an hour and 45 minutes without making mistakes.”