Why should Hamilton retire?

[PTRACER]

People have been saying for a few weeks, but I think Hamilton is as good now as he has ever been. Maybe better than he has ever been. So, why would he quit?

[John]

If he's competitive and still has the racing bug, there's zero reason to retire.

[Everso Biggyballies]

But what about his music career.....

[DoubleFart]

There's no reason, just like there was no reason for Schumacher to retire in 2006.

He's still beating his teammate comfortably, though TBH that says more about Bottas than it does about Lewis.

If Russell comes in and beats him, we know he's done.

[XcraigX]

There are several rumors ramping up this week that Russel is set to sign a Mercedes contract for 2022. I can see a scenario where Lewis may retire rather than test his mettle against a younger rising star. However, that seems a bit out of character and may only come to pass if somehow he loses the title to Max this year and starts to doubt his abilities.

Good money is that he stays in 2022 no matter who his teammate is. But there is a small chance....

[sadsac]

Me being a HUGE Senna fan have always liked Lewis Hamilton (not just because Senna is his idol) but he always seemed a naturally gifted racer like Senna and loves racing so personally I don't see him retiring for a few years yet also he is without doubt the best driver on the 2021 grid

[MonteCristo]

Maybe Lewis is in a slight decline - who knows? It's impossible to say. If anything, he's only getting better than Bottas, but that's saying very little.

Regardless, he clearly hasn't lost it yet.

So it's entirely up to him. If I was Merc, I'd keep him as long as the money made sense.

If I was him... Well, who knows what he's thinking.

[Star]

Because I'm fed up of him winning all the time!!

I know that's not a genuine reason but there you go. As far as he's concerned, at the moment he has no reason to retire. He made a stupid mistake in Baku, if he starts to keep making them then maybe it will be time to think about hanging up his helmet. It depends how much he's still enjoying racing I guess.

[PTRACER]

Because I'm fed up of him winning all the time!!

I think that is the only reason why people say it.

I don't think the Mercedes is as good this year as Lewis is making it look. In Baku quali, he worked his ass off for his front row grid position. Last year (and every year before that) he made it look so easy.

[SBan83]

His job requires tremendous discipline and commitment, from workouts to testing, sponsor commitments, etc. After you've already broken every record there is, honestly not much motivation to keep doing that. I see that as his primary reason to retire in a year or two.

[Star]

Seriously, if he wins the title this year, I think he'll retire, if he doesn't he could want to stay on to get that extra world championship that he probably craves, even if he perhaps wouldn't admit it.

[Ruslan]

Well, you have your answer here: https://www.grandprix.com/news/hamilton ... by-40.html

"I really hope that I am not longer racing at the age of 40."

So, he will win 11 world championships and then retire.

[Picci]

Lewis reminds me a bit of Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of his dedication and commitment to the sport. I think he'll continue. I'd love to see him with another team though. He'd struggle with Ferrari politics and all that and I think it makes little sense to go to RBR. The other realistic option is McLaren but both Lando and Ricciardo are there to stay. This means that sadly we'll see him staying with Merc until he gets to 40 like Ruslan said.

[Everso Biggyballies]

I cant see Hamilton moving on from Merc. I have said same many times. Starting with his current situation he can basically write his own contract and terms, plus he is in a situation where he has become Merc 'family', with the benefits that go with it.
As for the future, he has from F3 on always had a Merc connection, and has a very lucrative career ahead of him as an Ambassador with the team that will see him as connected as he wishes to be with F1, and will come with all the perks and trimmings he could wish for. A sort of mega pension package that other can only dream of. Why would he give up on that to hop across to another team for a year or two.... especially given the political and other trimmings that go with an out of touch Ferrari.

Personally I would think he has two years left in F1, 2022/23. Max. Maybe 2022 only if by some strange quirk of fate someone else picks up on the next new regs "Eureka moment, and Merc lose their edge..

As he himself reminds us, there is so much in life not to do with F1 he wants to try and be involved in. Music, Civil rights, carbon footprint / eco / tree hugging wishes he has, other motorsports involvements (ie like his Super E bullshit off road (whatever it is) team he owns, alongside other ex F1 adversaries like Rosberg and Button who also have teams.

[Star]

Well, you have your answer here: https://www.grandprix.com/news/hamilton ... by-40.html

"I really hope that I am not longer racing at the age of 40."

So, he will win 11 world championships and then retire.

Gee thanks Ruslan, way to make my day, NOT