Canadian Grand Prix 2026: Lewis Hamilton says he has no plans to retire from Formula 1

Hamilton had already indicated last year that he was contracted to Ferrari for 2027, saying there was no need to enter into negotiations over his future in 2026.

But this is the first time he has explicitly stated that he has a contract with Ferrari until the end of next season.

His comments about how much time he sees himself in F1 will keep him in the sport until well past his 45th birthday.

Drivers rarely stay racing for long in F1 – although Hamilton’s long-time rival Fernando Alonso turns 45 in July. The Spaniard’s contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of this season and he is currently mulling whether to sign a new contract.

Hamilton had several turbulent times in the second half of last season Doubts whether he still has the same pace as before.

He starts this year in a more competitive position than team-mate Charles Leclerc, who is third in the championship, eight points ahead of Hamilton in fifth after the first four races of the season.

Leclerc is 4-2 in all six qualifying sessions this season, including the sprint events in China and Miami. Monegasque’s average speed advantage is just 0.081 seconds.