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      Lewis Hamilton hints at F1 retirement AGAIN and says there are ‘other things’ he wants to do in his life

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has hinted at retirement from Formula 1 as he says there are “other things” he wants to do with his life. The seven-times world champion is currently enjoying time away from the track before returning next month for pre-season testing.
      Hamilton has many interests outside of drivingCredit: Getty
      He has seen it all and done it all during his 15 years at the top level of motorsport.
      And despite previously signalling a desire to march on with Mercedes, Hamilton has made clear he does not always feel that way.
      He told German newspaper Bild: “Sometimes you wake up and have this feeling: I don’t want to do this anymore.
      “And sometimes you wake up and think: I can still do other things my whole life, there is definitely more I want to achieve.”
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      He added: “It won’t be a terribly long time now, but I’ll definitely be staying.”
      Despite admitting considering retirement, Hamilton has also previously signalled a willingness to consider staying at Mercedes over the long-term.
      Team boss Toto Wolff said in October: “We speak a lot together.
      “Last week we sat down and he says, ‘Look, I have another five years in me how do you see that?’ Over time we have just grown together.
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      “We are totally transparent with each other.”
      Mercedes were tipped to offer Hamilton, who turns 38 on Saturday, an extension on his current contract which runs to the end of this year during the off-season.
      The experienced driver has many interests outside of F1.
      He has previously shown a passion for fashion, music, travelling and tackling inequalities both in and out of sport.
      Hamilton is preparing to enter his 17th season in F1 after a couple of tough years on the track.
      After the gut-wrenching end to the 2021 season, the star endured his first winless season ever last year while his teammate George Russell managed to claim victory in Brazil. More

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      F1 world champion Max Verstappen takes swipe at Lewis Hamilton over collisions and says ‘it’s a generation thing’

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has claimed that his on-track spats with Lewis Hamilton must be down to “a generation thing”.The Red Bull driver and Hamilton have come together on a number of occasions in the past two season’s.
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have crashed several times in the last two yearsCredit: Splash
      But Verstappen believes his clashes with Hamilton are “a generation thing”Credit: Getty
      However, the Dutchman – one of five drivers facing a controversial ban in 2023 – has revealed he is not sure what the reason is for this.
      In an interview with Motorsport.com, Verstappen was asked whether incidents were down to his “uncompromising” racing style.
      In response, he said: “Well, I have to be careful what I’m saying here, but with everyone I’ve been fighting this year, it’s been really hard, aggressive battles and we never really came together.
      “Somehow, with Lewis it’s a different story. And I honestly don’t understand.
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      “Like, this year, ok we haven’t really had a lot of battles. But Brazil we got together – it was not my intention (that we crashed). I got the blame for it, which I didn’t find fair.
      “If it would’ve been more of a racing incident that I could live with.
      “But… I don’t understand. Maybe it’s just a generation thing – that we understand each other better, we are racing nicer to each other. I don’t get it.
      “But I don’t feel like I’m doing anything different to Lewis or to the other drivers in terms of how we’re racing.”
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      Hamilton endured his worst-ever season of F1 racing last year after failing to land a single race victory as Verstappen went on to win the drivers championship for the second year in a row.
      The first of these titles are arguably when the rivalry was most intense, with Hamilton being overtaken on the final lap of the 2021 season under controversial circumstances.
      But Verstappen doubled-down on his generational theory by using Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell for reference.
      He added: “The day before with George (in the Interlagos sprint race where Russell attacked and passed Verstappen), we were having an incredible (fight) – closing the door, defending, out-braking each other.
      “That was a lot of fun and I was trying to do the same in the main race – having that kind of battle. But, unfortunately we couldn’t get it to work.”
      Russell, 24, went on to win the main race in Brazil when Hamilton and Verstappen collided.
      But Verstappen insists he does not have the same issues with George RussellCredit: AFP
      Verstappen and Russell battled during F1 sprint in BrazilCredit: AFP
      Formula One 2022Everything you need to know about F1 this season

      The Brit was pictured partying into the New Year alongside one of Hamilton’s previous nemesis – Fernando Alonso – and girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt.
      Two-time champ Alonso was beaten by Verstappen and Hamilton in the F1 driver’s earning’s list.
      Regarding his feeling to speak “carefully” about Hamilton, Verstappen said: “In England this can very quickly be received as criticism.
      “And then I’m being called out on it.
      “I always respect Lewis a lot for what he has achieved in the sport, but that’s why I don’t really understand why we cannot really race like I’ve been doing with the others.
      “Of course, everyone is different in their approach. I know that Charles (Leclerc) is a bit different to George, or to Carlos (Sainz) or to Checo (Perez), or whoever.
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      “I do have to be a little bit more careful with that because immediately it’s really taken as criticism. And then people start to hate on you. Well, that’s not my intention.”
      Verstappen and Red Bull previously “boycotted Sky Sports” after reporter Ted Kravitz implied Hamilton was “robbed” of an eighth world title by Verstappen. More

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      Lewis Hamilton is only F1 star not to vote for drivers’ Driver of the Year as Mercedes star finishes third

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      LEWIS HAMILTON was the ONLY driver not to vote for drivers’ Driver of the Year.Great rival Max Verstappen came out on top after retaining his title in 2022.
      Lewis Hamilton decided against voting for drivers’ Driver of the YearCredit: Alamy
      The Dutchman dominated and came an incredible 214 points ahead of Hamilton, who finished sixth in the standings.
      As a result, the seven-time world champion was voted as the third best driver of the year.
      He was joint with team-mate George Russell.
      But Hamilton decided against submitting a vote of his own – the only driver to do so.
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      Charles Leclerc, who was Verstappen’s closet challenge in the 2022 season, was runner-up.
      Despite the snub, Hamilton was all smiles in his latest Instagram post.
      The Formula One star is enjoying some time away from the track after the worst year of his career.
      He’s spending some quality family time while on a skiing holiday.
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      And the 37-year-old looked cheerful as he uploaded a selfie with his niece and nephew.
      Hamilton’s dad Anthony was also in action on the slopes.
      The caption read: “Verified Hope everyones holidays have been happy.
      “Sending you and your loved ones love, light, and Uncle Terry’s “moves” 😂😂.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton plays Twister with his niece and nephew and brags ‘I won’ during skiing trip with dad Anthony and family

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      LEWIS HAMILTON boasted of beating his niece and nephew in a game of Twister while on a skiing holiday with family. The Formula One legend is enjoying some time away from the track following an underwhelming season this year.
      Lewis Hamilton with his niece and nephew on a family skiing tripCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton pictured next to his dad Anthony and uncleCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton played a family game of Twister – but showed his competitive spirit
      But the seven-time champion was still all smiles as he hit the slopes with his family.
      Hamilton, 37, smiled in a selfie with his niece and nephew as well as showing off his dad Anthony in action.
      The Mercedes star is level with Michael Schumacher as the most successful F1 drivers ever. But Hamilton is desperate for a record-breaking eighth and his competitiveness knows no bounds – even when it comes to games night.
      He uploaded an adorable video playing Twister with his niece and nephew but jokingly assured his fans: “I won.”
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      The F1 pilot had earlier been teaching his young relations how to ski at the exclusive resort.
      Hamilton is contracted to Merc until the end of 2023 and has previously declared he would not like to race in F1 beyond 40.
      That would leave Hamilton with two or three seasons left in the sport and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is keen to make sure the Brit finishes with the team.
      He told F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast: “Certainly, Lewis’ contract is one of the topics that we will tackle over the winter.
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      “There’s no firm deadline. Absolutely, Lewis is part of the team and the team is part of Lewis. 
      “[There is] no reason [for that] to not continue. I think one of his strengths is that he’s always hungry, always eager. 
      “He’s a great sportsman but he’s also someone who is extremely driven and determined.”
      Hamilton was all smiles on the tripCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      He was teaching his niece and nephew to skiCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton shared a number of posts on InstagramCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Lewis Hamilton’s dad Anthony hit the slopes tooCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton More

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      Lewis Hamilton and F1 drivers urged to fight free speech ban after FIA announce new rules following protests last season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON and his fellow Formula One stars have been urged to fight against new laws limiting free speech. F1’s governing body, the FIA, have introduced new rules into the sport which limit the ability for those in the sport to express themselves.
      Lewis Hamilton has been urged to keep speaking out despite new rulesCredit: Getty
      The likes of Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been outspoken on social issues in the pastCredit: Getty
      The new doctrine states participants cannot make or display “political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality… unless previously approved in writing by the FIA.”
      It comes following the World Cup, which was marred by political controversy as Fifa declared they would sanction political gestures, such as the “One Love” armbands, in Qatar.
      But F1 drivers have been urged to rebel against the “brutal” and “hypocritical” rules that have been brought in.
      Speaking to the Telegraph, Rob Koehler, chief executive of Global Athlete, said: “Without athletes, the sport does not exist.
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      “It is blatantly hypocritical to tell athletes to stick to their sports and stay out of politics while the FIA consistently leverages politics to their advantage.”
      Hamilton, along with the now-retired Sebastian Vettel, has been one driver who has remained an outspoken voice on political issues both outside and inside of F1.
      And Koehler added: “Freedom of expression is a basic fundamental human right and sport rules cannot supersede human rights.
      “Many people look up to athletes as agents of change.
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      “The example set by the FIA is that every child, youth and adult watching the sport should remain silent on social justice issues.
      “It is simply wrong. Shame on the FIA.
      “Athletes are humans first, athletes second.
      “It is also clear that the FIA is taking a page out of Fifa’s playbook to silence athletes.”
      The FIA explained the change to Article 12.2.1 of the sporting code was done “to align itself to the practices of other similar international sports organisations such as Fifa, IOC and Fiba on the matter of neutrality.”
      Koehler slammed the move, saying: “In 2020, athletes took a stand against the IOC and IPC to force them to relax their rules on freedom of expression.
      “I hope the drivers do the same. This is brutal.”
      Seven-time world champion Hamilton previously wore a shirt that read “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” in 2020, and has remained outspoken on a variety of social issues.
      Likewise, Vettel highlighted issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and Climate Change prior to his retirement.
      After initially promoting the taking of the knee and the “We Race As One” slogan, F1 ditched the knee gesture at the start of 2022 with president Stefano Domenicali declaring “action” rather than “gestures” were needed.
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      The new move from F1 has also been slammed online, with SunSport’s Ben Hunt declaring: “Outlawing freedom of speech is not progress.”
      A jewellery ban introduced by the FIA earlier this season also saw them come under fire. More

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      Lewis Hamilton less motivated in 2022 F1 season and gave George Russell a wake-up call at end, claims Sky Sports pundit

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      LEWIS HAMILTON was less motivated in 2022 but gave George Russell a wake-up call once he recovered, according to Sky Sports’ Karun Chandhok.The F1 pundit compared the seven-times world champion to legendary driver Ayrton Senna after Hamilton faced a series of new challenges last season.
      In his first season at Mercedes, George Russell got the edge on his far more experienced teammate Lewis HamiltonCredit: AFP
      Not only did he have to get over the gut-wrenching end to the 2021 season, Hamilton also had new teammate Russell to contend with.
      And most alarmingly for the 37-year-old, he was also tussling with a Mercedes car which was uncompetitive after sweeping rule changes.
      Former F1 driver Chandhok, who has been a pundit on Sky since 2019, believes these factors contributed to Hamilton’s sluggish start to the season.
      The Former HRT racer told Sky Sports: “Lewis, at the start of the year, I’m sure his motivation wasn’t there. And I can understand that.
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      “It reminded me of Senna in 1993, this was a guy who was the number one driver of his generation, he arrives at the opening race and goes ‘God, I’m only capable of qualifying on the third row of the grid.’
      “Where’s the motivation? Then we got to Barcelona, they turned a little bit of the corner and he rose to the challenge.
      “At the start of the year, it was looking really good for Russell, he was regularly outqualifying Lewis.
      “I think he had a bit of a wake-up call in that middle part of the year when Lewis lifted his game, and I think George went on a run where he couldn’t get ahead. I think he thought ‘woah, I’ve woken the beast!'”
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      Hamilton’s form picked up hugely in the second half of the season and he was desperately close to wins at Silverstone, Austin and Brazil.
      But ultimately it was Russell who enjoyed Mercedes’ only victory of the season at Interlagos.
      And he grabbed the constructor’s only pole of the campaign in Hungary.
      The win in Brazil helped Russell finish 35 points clear of Hamilton.
      It is the first time Hamilton has been beaten on points by a teammate since 2016, and the first time ever he has not picked up a single win in an F1 season. More

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      F1’s ten highest-paid drivers revealed as Lewis Hamilton is knocked off the top spot for first time in years

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      FORMULA ONE’S best paid drivers in 2022 have been revealed, with a new champion in tow.Lewis Hamilton, who has held the crown since 2013, endured a difficult year behind the wheel of his Mercedes as he failed to win a race in a season for the first time in his F1 career.
      Lewis Hamilton has been knocked off of his perch at F1’s top paid driverCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen won his second drivers championship in 2022Credit: Rex
      Meanwhile, Max Verstappen cruised to a second world championship with a record-breaking 15 race victories to his name.
      The pair have been F1’s headline act in recent years, with their rivalry seeing sparks fly both on and off the track as they took the 2021 championship down to the last lap of the season.
      And while the Dutchman claimed victory in that battle, a year on he has added the lucrative title of F1’s best paid driver to his name.
      As revealed by Forbes, the Red Bull driver is taking home a cool £33million ($40m) plus £16.5m in bonuses ($20m).
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      Verstappen, 25, signed a bumper new-deal with Red Bull ahead of the 2022 season, and he paid back the deal with 15 race wins and shattering the record for most points scored in a season with 454.
      Hamilton falls just short of his rival, though not in the basic salary department.
      Indeed, the Brit’s annual salary dwarfs Verstappen’s by around £12.4m ($15m), with Hamilton earning £45.3m ($55m) WITHOUT bonuses.
      Verstappen’s champion bonus has given him the edge over Hamilton in this case, but Hamilton remains one of the most marketable assets in Motorsport, with him earning £6.6m ($8m) in endorsements off-track.
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      Moving down the list is another driver with Hamilton history.
      Two-time champion Fernando Alonso claims the final podium spot, with the 41-year-old earning £24.7m ($30m) in 2022.
      And like Hamilton, he has secured this deal with just a basic salary.
      Not that this has stopped him from swapping Alpine for Aston Martin next season.
      Mexican Sergio Perez comes in fourth with £21.4m ($26m) earned.
      The 32-year-old narrowly lost out on second spot in the driver’s championship to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, but still earned a juicy £13.2m ($16m) in bonuses.
      Leclerc comes in next after earning £18.9m ($23m) over 2022.
      The Monegasque will be hoping he can make more of a dent in Verstappen’s title charge next season and be the first driver to win a title for the Tifosi since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
      The top 10 list of F1 driver earnings in 2022
      Retiring F1 icon Sebastian Vettel is next.
      The four-time champion earned £14m ($17m) in his final year in his F1, though Vettel has been offered a chance to change this decision in the future, with a lot of love clearly still going around for him after Hamilton arranged a farewell dinner for him.
      Another star leaving the sport, Daniel Ricciardo, earned the same as Vettel.
      But while Vettel is leaving the sport completely, the honeybadger is dropping into a reserve driver role with ex-team Red Bull.
      Spaniard Carlos Sainz comes in at P8 on the list, earning £12.4m ($15m).
      His former team-mate Lando Norris also made the top 10.
      The 23-year-old McLaren star was the only driver outside of the big three teams to earn a podium throughout the season and finished best of the rest in P7 in the driver standings.
      His impressive season saw him earn £9.1m ($11m) in 2022, eclipsing that of compatriot George Russell.
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      Russell capped off his first-season with the Silver Arrows with a race win at the penultimate race of the season in Brazil.
      The 24-year-old earned £8.2m ($10m) despite a basic salary of just £2.5m ($3m). More

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      George Russell says Mercedes ‘haven’t forgotten how to build a fast race car’ as he expects strong 2023 from F1 team

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      GEORGE RUSSELL says Mercedes “haven’t forgotten how to build a fast race car” and says the team are “building on top” of last season’s woes.Merc were well off the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari in 2022.
      Russell expects Merc to be competitive from the off next seasonCredit: Splash
      Red Bull picked up the Formula One Constructors’ championship while Max Verstappen became a two-time world champ.
      Russell did, however, pick up Merc’s one and only win of the season in Brazil.
      And ahead of the 2023 campaign, the Brit says his team still know what they’re doing in F1.
      Russell is also confident the team will be competitive from the first race of the season.
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      He told BBC Radio Norfolk: “They haven’t forgotten how to build a fast race car.
      “We just got it wrong this year.”
      Russell continued: “We got the philosophy wrong. We went down a route which turned out to be the wrong route.
      “Sometimes it takes you a long time to dig yourself out of that hole.
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      “Now I feel we’ve dug ourselves out of that hole and we’re building on top of that.
      “We are a step behind Red Bull and Ferrari and we’ve got a lot of catching up to do – but we’re definitely going to be in a much stronger position from race one next year than we were this year.”
      Russell managed to beat seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton in the standings last season.
      In his debut campaign for Merc, Russell claimed 275 points to Hamilton’s 240.
      Despite that, Russell is not proud of his start to life at the Silver Arrows.
      He said: “I’m not going to walk away from this season with a huge amount of pride because I finished fourth in the championship.
      “I’m here to win. We need to keep raising the bar.”
      And Russell has issued a warning to team-mate Hamilton, who dreams of claiming a record-breaking eighth world crown.
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      Russell added: “I’m here for the long haul and even though I would have wanted victories and to be fighting for that championship in 2022, I think as a team the struggles are going to set us up much nicer for the coming years.
      “So I hope I look back in 10 years time and say, actually this 2022 season was a positive one for the journey.” More