Lewis Hamilton wants to spend the rest of his life working with Mercedes and revealed his desire to remain racing in Formula 1 beyond the end of his current deal.
His contract with the Silver Arrows is due to expire at the end of next season, shortly before his 39th birthday. But that will not be the end of his time in the sport, he says, given his recent claim that he is "happier than ever" despite his team's struggles for competitiveness at times this year.
Instead of taking that as a sign to call it quits, the seven-time world champions says he remains hungry for success and forever wants to work with Mercedes both on and off the track. "I know what I want to do, I plan on staying longer – it's just not set in stone how long," he told reporters ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.
"I plan on staying with Mercedes for the rest of my life, that's a definite. It's more figuring out what we are going to do down the line, even beyond racing I want to be building with Mercedes and there is a lot that Mercedes can do, it's not just a car manufacturer.
"It provides so many jobs for so many people and it has such a powerful platform to really shift narratives and it has a place where it can have a really positive impact on the environment – there's loads of things that we can do together and I want to be a part of that.
"I want to be part of that shift and work process with Mercedes far beyond races and championships, but for now it's to win world championships and that's the immediate focus."
That pledge to continue racing beyond the end of his current deal comes after team chief Toto Wolff said he could see Hamilton continuing for at least another five years. "We are totally transparent with each other. We talk about the future also, and I think it's very easy," the Austrian said.
"Lewis will be the first one to say 'I can't do this anymore because I feel I haven't got the reactions anymore, or I've just lost fun doing it and there is another generation growing up that's just very strong'. So I have no doubt that whatever we agree on a contract extension, which is going to happen, that we both are always going to discuss very openly 'what does the future hold?'
"The advantage is we speak a lot together, he lives here and I'm there [in Monaco]. And just last week we sat down and he says 'well, I have another five years in me. How do you see that?' I mean, he's the shining star in Formula 1 on and off track. I think we would lose the greatest personality Formula 1 ever had."
