LEWIS HAMILTON has reportedly already planned his Formula One retirement.
The seven-time world champion will join up with Ferrari from next season on a multi-year £100million contract.
Hamilton announced his shock switch to the Italian giants in February.
The 39-year-old has been with Mercedes since 2013 after a move from McLaren.
Hamilton said earlier this year: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.”
The Brit driver will race for Ferrari in 2025 and 2026, but his long-term future remains uncertain.
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Author Matt Whyman, who has written a book on the history of Mercedes, spoke with Hamilton ahead of his Ferrari switch.
And he claims the Stevenage native has a “very clear plan” on when he will step away from racing.
Whyman told The Mirror: “I asked him directly what was going on and he just said, ‘It is every kid’s dream who gets involved in motor racing to race a Ferrari, and that is it – I did not want to get to the end of my career and look back and go, what if?’
“He says he knows when the end of his career will be, he has got this very clear plan ahead of him.
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“He said it is really meaningful to him, the fact that he has won all these races with Mercedes and he has been on this journey.
“The one thing he had not done and he just thought, ‘I do not want to walk away and go, I wish I had done that’.”
Hamilton has racked up 105 wins in F1 since making his debut way back in 2007.
He admitted earlier this season he “will know” when it’s finally time to step out of the car.
Asked if he had a timeframe for retirement by Esquire, he said: “I definitely do.
“There are days I’m like, shoot, I don’t know how much longer I can go.
“I’ve just got to strategise and sequence things.
Inside track on Hamilton’s life
LEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.
“I’m very much about sequencing, like looking at brands that I collaborate with, companies that I’m essentially starting, how I manage my time between all those, and how I’m able to dedicate myself to this job still.
“Is there a time when I’m not all in and I’m just not in love with it anymore?
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“That’s the moment that hopefully never happens, in the sense that I’ve fallen out of love with it.
“But I will know when I need to stop.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
