Lewis Hamilton has been a part of the Formula 1 grid for 15 years now and is all set to rise up to 17 with his recent contract extension. In these 15 years of experience, the Briton has gained a wide range of achievements, including matching Michael Schumacher’s world championship record and hitting triple figures in poles and Grand Prix wins.

However, even for a driver as successful as Hamilton, thoughts of retirement can be a factor, considering the sacrifices they make to race in F1.

Rightfully so, the seven-time world champion affirmed that he had often had the intention of giving up on Formula 1 and rather focus on his personal life. The 36-year-old reckoned that the retirement thoughts often come and go like a wave.

“That thought often happens to me. It’s like a wave,” he said during an exclusive interview with Sky Sports. “Yes, it comes and goes.

“There have been many occasions in the last four or five years when I didn’t know if I still wanted to try, sacrifice myself with training at the expense of personal life. There are other things I like to do. So many things I would like to try.” (Translated via Google Translate)

How Lewis Hamilton copes with retirement thoughts

Hamilton revealed that he would convince himself as one of the luckiest in the world to be racing in an elite sport like Formula 1. Consequently, he acknowledged that he would continue racing until he feels the hunger to train.

“But on the other hand, I tell myself that I am so lucky to be doing this job. In a rather long period of time, the career in the car becomes only a small part, there is a lot of time to retire. It is a question of finding the balance,” he said.

“I tell myself that if I am still hungry and I train like I was a boy, which I am doing. If I find myself slower, lacking strength to train, and unmotivated, then I’ll know it’s time to stop.”

Overall, Hamilton is on course to securing his eighth world championship title this season, albeit with serious threats from his new rival, Max Verstappen.

But, if the Briton does manage to lift the trophy this season, his records could well remain unmatched at least for the next decade. So, will this year’s title be crucial for Hamilton to attain the ‘GOAT’ status in F1?

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