Hamilton leaves door open to racing in F1 into the 2030s

Lewis Hamilton says he is still committed to Formula 1 and has not ruled out racing into the 2030s, even as he acknowledges that age could eventually change his plans.

The seven-time champion’s current Ferrari contract runs through the end of next year, with options understood to extend it through 2028. A longer stay would put Hamilton on the grid at 45 in 2030, the year an African Grand Prix could join the calendar. Hamilton has long supported F1’s return to the continent.

Hamilton says his current pace keeps the decision open

Asked about his future in Mexico on Thursday, Hamilton said he sees himself as an exception to assumptions about how age affects drivers. He pointed to his reaction speed and said he believes it remains ahead of that of some of the youngest drivers.

Hamilton credited his training and his understanding of how to maintain the right mental approach. He said he remains willing to make the sacrifices needed to keep himself sharp, while stressing that he cannot yet say whether he will still want to race in four years.

His position is consistent with his recent progress at Ferrari. After a difficult first season with the team in 2025, he made significant gains over the winter and has felt more comfortable in the 2026 car. His victory at the Barcelona Grand Prix provided evidence that he can still compete at the front. Read more about Hamilton’s fresh start with Ferrari’s SF-26.

Performance, not age alone, will determine his future

Hamilton said he knows he cannot predict how he will feel in four years, or whether he will be able to match a 20-year-old at 44. But he believes his current level shows that age has not yet stopped him competing with younger drivers.

He also made clear that staying in F1 would depend on maintaining his performance. If he felt his reaction, motivation or pace had fallen away, he would not want to continue simply for the sake of remaining on the grid.

That leaves the 2030 possibility open rather than promised. Hamilton says he is “still all in” for now, and will keep testing the assumptions about how long a driver can compete at the highest level. His improved form at Ferrari is also explored in our report on Hamilton’s 2026 redemption.