Hamilton casts fresh doubt on future

Lewis Hamilton roared to glory at the British Grand Prix, then cast his future into doubt by dropping another hint that he could walk away from Formula One at the end of the season.

Hamilton, who toasted his fourth consecutive victory on home soil by performing his now customary crowdsurfing celebration with his army of British supporters at Silverstone, has moved to within just one point of Sebastian Vettel in the race for the title.

The 19-point swing, following a faultless display by Hamilton and Vettel’s late puncture, leaves him back on track to become the first Briton to win four world titles, and one, should he accomplish it, which may be his last.

Hamilton has 18 months to run on his Mercedes deal. But fresh from equalling fellow Briton and two-time world champion Jim Clark with five victories on home soil, Hamilton did little to allay fears this year could prove to be his final hurrah.

“In terms of the contract, I really can’t say what is going to happen six months from now,” said Hamilton, who partied in London following his home triumph. “What I do know is I am loving racing.

“I really feel within myself that I am driving better than I have ever driven. I may have said that in the past, perhaps with less conviction, but right now I know I am at my best and I want to stay there.”

Hamilton, 32, and now in his 11th campaign, was pushed on whether his remarks meant he might not be on the grid next year.

“I just think in life you don’t know what is going to happen,” he replied. “Right now, I love driving, and in six months you could say, it’s very unlikely, but you can’t say what frame of mind I will be in come Christmas time.

“Hopefully it is a really good one with a fourth title.”

He added: “Even in getting another championship, it will never be the case of now it is time to hang up my gloves.

“I will always want to win more, even when I do stop. There is something inside of me that will always want to get more. But let’s just focus on trying to get that fourth.”

Hamilton’s suggestions that he could stun the sporting world by following his long-term rival Nico Rosberg into retirement are not new.

Picture: Getty. Lewis Hamilton has 18 months to run on his Mercedes deal.