Lewis Hamilton declared there is "no limit" to what he can still achieve with Mercedes as he spilled more details on his Formula 1 future.
The Brit looks set to sign a new deal with Mercedes which most likely means he will race with the Silver Arrows beyond his 40th birthday. Team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that talks over that contract will most likely take place over the winter.
The "multi-year" deal sought by Hamilton will give him the chance to help Mercedes get back to winning ways after an underwhelming 2022 campaign. But not only is he confident the team's future looks bright, but he also feels he is still able to play a key part in that – both on and off the track – despite being one of the older racers on the grid.
"In terms of my physical wellbeing, I feel the best I've physically ever been because I've been really focused on that as you get older," the 37-year-old told the F1 website. "I'm generally loving driving so I'm working on a plan. I can't tell you what that is just yet, but there is no limit to what we can do.
"I want to be creative and continue to do all the other things I get to do. I get to be myself at this team – and the support from Mercedes has been incredible since day one. Together, it's not just about winning, we can be part of the many people in the world that are trying to change the world for the better – and that's what we can try and do together, as it's a huge brand that can have a huge influence on the world."
Hamilton has already been given public reassurance by Wolff that he has no interest in replacing him with anyone else. "It is 100% his seat," said the Austrian recently, before adding that he sees the Brit still having a major role within the team long after his driving days are done.
This season is Hamilton's 10th with the Mercedes works team and 16th with the company as a whole in F1 – the German manufacturer supplied engines to his old employers McLaren. And Wolff, he says, has become so much more than a boss in that time.
"Toto is one of my best friends", he added. "We've had tough, tough times, we've had tough negotiations, there's been emotional bursts, a rollercoaster of emotions together over the years, but we're like family. I want what's best for him. He wants what's best for me.
"We always can jump on the phone and talk about whatever that is. Our values are aligned and our goals are aligned – in the brand, in helping this team grow and what it wants to achieve."
