Formula 1 remains the 'love of my life,' says Hamilton.
"I’m pleased to concentrate on a single focus."
18 September 2025 - 08:59
Lewis Hamilton has dismissed rumors that his challenging first season with Ferrari might lead him to retire. In a rare discussion outside the race weekend paddock, the seven-time world champion told L’Equipe that he has no intentions of leaving Formula 1. "My priorities arise from my passion for Formula 1," stated the 40-year-old driver. "Formula 1 is the love of my life. I cherish this job more than nearly anything else."
When questioned about the recent and ongoing speculation surrounding an imminent departure, he smiled and replied, "I have no plans to leave anytime soon, and I’m very glad that Fernando (Alonso) is staying too, because it suggests he’s older than me. Yes, I’ll stick around until he turns 50."
Hamilton expressed pride in having competed against and triumphed over some of the sport's all-time greats. "I respect each of these competitors," the Briton remarked. "I try to put myself in their position—they have made tremendous sacrifices. Ultimately, one person wins and another loses. I understand the pain they must have felt after those defeats. I recognize that. I have empathy for them in that regard, and I hold them in high regard."
While Hamilton acknowledged that he does not have a close bond with Fernando Alonso, he considers Sebastian Vettel a true friend. "I don’t converse much with Fernando. Conversely, Seb has been a tremendous support. He’s been genuinely amazing, a very good friend throughout the years," Hamilton shared.
He revealed that during a challenging phase with Ferrari—during which he referred to himself as "useless"—he contemplated reaching out to Vettel. "I was planning to speak with Seb during that break, and I think I will soon. I haven’t called him this year because I don’t frequently use the phone. I didn’t wish to disturb him, and I wanted to avoid speaking to him prematurely to prevent any preconceived notions. After six to eight months of experience, I understand the situation better now, so I’ll likely reach out soon."
Hamilton also reflected on the sacrifices he has made for his career, though he admits to having great admiration for athletes in other sports. "I’m always impressed by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and other legends like Tom Brady, who manage to have families and still perform at a high level. For me, that just hasn't been the case," he explained. "My niece and my family will always come first, but I don’t like to do things halfway; I wouldn’t give 100 percent otherwise.
"I’m not implying that others aren't doing their best, but I need to be diligent, train hard, and stay engaged. I don’t want to have to choose—whether racing suffers so that family can thrive, or family suffers so that racing can excel. For now, I don’t need to choose, and I’m content to focus on just one thing. And even if I sacrifice everything for it, achieving success is still extremely challenging."
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