Hamilton - Enjoy him while you can

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:09 am

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.

Exediron · Post by **Exediron** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:46 am

mikeyg123 wrote:https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.

Cue certain people being offended that you're discussing the possibility of Hamilton retiring early...

ALESI · Post by **ALESI** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 9:02 am

WTF is he on about?

Lewis just put these boxes in that van and take em round the corner mate, and pick us up some coffee on the way back...

'Starting at the bottom and working your way up in a company'.

Really?

Ennis · Post by **Ennis** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 10:39 am

ALESI wrote:WTF is he on about?

Lewis just put these boxes in that van and take em round the corner mate, and pick us up some coffee on the way back...

'Starting at the bottom and working your way up in a company'.

Really?

I imagine he means a chosen career path rather than a career path most people may fall in to but not choose. He's got too big and powerful a network to go in at the ground floor, he'll be meaning they need to learn something new from scratch.

I don't think he'll retire then, he also references he'll have plenty time after 40 and he has the financial stability to do what he pleases, really.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 1:04 pm

I guess if you just look upon F1 as being a job that consumes your life then retirement can look a better option, you need the desire and is he losing that?

Ennis · Post by **Ennis** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 2:15 pm

pokerman wrote:I guess if you just look upon F1 as being a job that consumes your life then retirement can look a better option, you need the desire and is he losing that?

I think he's musing, and people are reading far too much in to it.

Colinjb · Post by **Colinjb** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 4:31 pm

There will come a point when he will think, 'what more do I have to prove?'

If the Mercedes is not the best car on the grid over the next few years that time will come quicker.

mac_d · Post by **mac_d** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:50 pm

Colinjb wrote:There will come a point when he will think, 'what more do I have to prove?'

If the Mercedes is not the best car on the grid over the next few years that time will come quicker.

I agree. But I also think if he has another couple of good seasons he could be close enough to Schumi's 7/91 stats that I'm not sure I could turn down the chance to become (wins/WDC-wise anyway) the greatest of all time.

Flash2k11 · Post by **Flash2k11** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:59 pm

mac_d wrote:
Colinjb wrote:There will come a point when he will think, 'what more do I have to prove?'

If the Mercedes is not the best car on the grid over the next few years that time will come quicker.
I agree. But I also think if he has another couple of good seasons he could be close enough to Schumi's 7/91 stats that I'm not sure I could turn down the chance to become (wins/WDC-wise anyway) the greatest of all time.

I agree, one more dominant-ish season and those records will become realistically beatable; pass those numbers and he will guaranteed of F1 sporting immortality.

That can be a hell of a motivator.

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 6:43 pm

I suspect he’s just having fun with the interviewer. Don’t see him retiring as long as he has a competitive car with a chance of winning titles. But if he gets a car that’s not a front runner I do suspect he’ll walk.

slide · Post by **slide** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:05 pm

maybe he will retire if the merc is complete rubbish in the next 2 years ,but I think he has his eye on the stats and if the merc is at the top still allowing him to rack up more records , then he is just teasing and playing with journalists who are desperate for stories in the off season and looking to earn a living ,so if half a story erupts , its big news

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:38 pm

TBF it's a good way of telling Merc he may not stay so make sure contract offered is a good one, without sounding as disloyal as he would if he said he was considering moving teams.

Hardly puts him in a strong negotiating position if he comes out and says he is desperate to resign for another 3 years.

Option or Prime · Post by **Option or Prime** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:28 pm

I think he is keen to prove he is more that just a multiple WDC. He already seems to want to show he has interests outside F1. It wouldn't surprise me if he became a success in another career unrelated to motorsport.

sandman1347 · Post by **sandman1347** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:22 pm

I believe you're mistaken. His contract ends after next season; not 2019. My guess is that he will sign with Mercedes for 2 more years (2019 and 2020). Beyond that, it's hard to say. Possibly one more deal. It's hard to walk away when you're winning and I don't see Mercedes becoming noncompetitive in the near future. 2021 brings uncertainty and he might not want to take a chance on leaving with a 2009-like season. Based on the article he doesn't seem too concerned with breaking the records so I don't think he'll stick around just for that.

I must be getting old. I find it very strange to think that Lewis Hamilton is reaching retirement lol.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Dec 02, 2017 5:51 pm

sandman1347 wrote:I believe you're mistaken. His contract ends after next season; not 2019. My guess is that he will sign with Mercedes for 2 more years (2019 and 2020). Beyond that, it's hard to say. Possibly one more deal. It's hard to walk away when you're winning and I don't see Mercedes becoming noncompetitive in the near future. 2021 brings uncertainty and he might not want to take a chance on leaving with a 2009-like season. Based on the article he doesn't seem too concerned with breaking the records so I don't think he'll stick around just for that.

I must be getting old. I find it very strange to think that Lewis Hamilton is reaching retirement lol.

I think that Hamilton sends out a lot of mixed messages so it's hard to know exactly what he is thinking, I can't help feeling that like most things this is basically Hamilton being asked do you have thoughts on retirement and then he's going through all his thoughts on the matter.

It was only a couple of months ago that Hamilton was talking about signing another contract with Mercedes.

Alienturnedhuman · Post by **Alienturnedhuman** » Sat Dec 02, 2017 8:19 pm

In contract negotiations is always important that the person you are negotiating with doesn't know you have no other options. Presently Hamilton has no options at other teams, so Mercedes need to have believe this is a plausible possibility that he'll walk from the sport.

I'd be shocked if Hamilton left before he was at least Alonso's present age.

funkymonkey · Post by **funkymonkey** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 3:46 pm

He and Vettel can probably retire any time and walk away with their heads held high. They have achieved almost everything there is to achieve other than pure records. Maybe Vettel will want to win a championship with Ferrari but that would be it.

Hamilton has shown no desire of wanting to win with any other team as such and he has 4 titles under his belt. It wont shock me one bit if these 2 drivers retire after their existing contracts run out. That will be 2019 for Hamilton and 2020 for Vettel.

And life goes on, there are plenty of young drivers coming though and some old dogs with plenty of speed in F1 right now. As much as I would miss the drivers which I consider to be from my generation, it wont be end of the day. Maybe it helps if you are like me and more of a team guy than a driver guy.

Bentrovato · Post by **Bentrovato** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 4:30 pm

funkymonkey wrote:He and Vettel can probably retire any time and walk away with their heads held high. They have achieved almost everything there is to achieve other than pure records. Maybe Vettel will want to win a championship with Ferrari but that would be it.

Hamilton has shown no desire of wanting to win with any other team as such and he has 4 titles under his belt. It wont shock me one bit if these 2 drivers retire after their existing contracts run out. That will be 2019 for Hamilton and 2020 for Vettel.

And life goes on, there are plenty of young drivers coming though and some old dogs with plenty of speed in F1 right now. As much as I would miss the drivers which I consider to be from my generation, it wont be end of the day. Maybe it helps if you are like me and more of a team guy than a driver guy.

I think yes for Hamilton but not Vettel. Vettel is always saying how lucky he is to be an F1 driver and how amazing it is to drive these cars. He never talks about stopping. Hamilton always hints at moving on.

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 5:03 pm

Bentrovato wrote:
funkymonkey wrote:He and Vettel can probably retire any time and walk away with their heads held high. They have achieved almost everything there is to achieve other than pure records. Maybe Vettel will want to win a championship with Ferrari but that would be it.

Hamilton has shown no desire of wanting to win with any other team as such and he has 4 titles under his belt. It wont shock me one bit if these 2 drivers retire after their existing contracts run out. That will be 2019 for Hamilton and 2020 for Vettel.

And life goes on, there are plenty of young drivers coming though and some old dogs with plenty of speed in F1 right now. As much as I would miss the drivers which I consider to be from my generation, it wont be end of the day. Maybe it helps if you are like me and more of a team guy than a driver guy.
I think yes for Hamilton but not Vettel. Vettel is always saying how lucky he is to be an F1 driver and how amazing it is to drive these cars. He never talks about stopping. Hamilton always hints at moving on.

Vettel is a father though. Too how many children is a bit of a mystery as is family are never seen but he is thought to have two daughters. He may want to spend more time with his family at some point.

Covalent · Post by **Covalent** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:43 am

Hamilton trying to prepare for life outside of F1?

An Instagram Post from the 21st century

Blake · Post by **Blake** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:09 am

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:46 pm

Exediron wrote:
mikeyg123 wrote:https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.
Cue certain people being offended that you're discussing the possibility of Hamilton retiring early...

No it looks more like an opportunity to mock Hamilton.

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:52 pm

pokerman wrote:
Exediron wrote:
mikeyg123 wrote:https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.
Cue certain people being offended that you're discussing the possibility of Hamilton retiring early...
No it looks more like an opportunity to mock Hamilton.

I think it's funny tbf.

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:49 pm

pokerman wrote:
Exediron wrote:
mikeyg123 wrote:https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.
Cue certain people being offended that you're discussing the possibility of Hamilton retiring early...
No it looks more like an opportunity to mock Hamilton.

I think you've just proven the point being made?

Siao7 · Post by **Siao7** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 2:17 pm

How does someone retiring make it an opportunity to mock him??? I just don't get this.

slide · Post by **slide** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:59 pm

lewis is playing games for those journalists who are desperate for a story and who also believe anything that resembles an almost story
this way he gets the last laugh, and gets some amusement from the desperation of the F1 journalists who are gullable

just think about it -would he leave merc who always give him the equipment and the possibilities to win more championships to another formula where might not be in that position

Paolo_Lasardi · Post by **Paolo_Lasardi** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 10:30 pm

Hamilton - Enjoy him while you can

I will do!

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:33 pm

mikeyg123 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
Exediron wrote:
mikeyg123 wrote:https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.
Cue certain people being offended that you're discussing the possibility of Hamilton retiring early...
No it looks more like an opportunity to mock Hamilton.
I think it's funny tbf.

Like Hamilton is seriously looking at racing in FE?

If I was shown that clip I wouldn't know what year it was either, who watches FE anyway?

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:34 pm

Zoue wrote:
pokerman wrote:
Exediron wrote:
mikeyg123 wrote:https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.
Cue certain people being offended that you're discussing the possibility of Hamilton retiring early...
No it looks more like an opportunity to mock Hamilton.
I think you've just proven the point being made?

What point would that be?

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:36 pm

Siao7 wrote:How does someone retiring make it an opportunity to mock him??? I just don't get this.

You don't think that the post I was referring to was mocking Hamilton, and how exactly did it relate to him retiring?

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:38 pm

slide wrote:lewis is playing games for those journalists who are desperate for a story and who also believe anything that resembles an almost story
this way he gets the last laugh, and gets some amusement from the desperation of the F1 journalists who are gullable

just think about it -would he leave merc who always give him the equipment and the possibilities to win more championships to another formula where might not be in that position

Were does Hamilton say he will race in another formula and how would that relate to him retiring to try something completely new which he has said would be away from motorsport?

Siao7 · Post by **Siao7** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:50 pm

pokerman wrote:
Siao7 wrote:How does someone retiring make it an opportunity to mock him??? I just don't get this.
You don't think that the post I was referring to was mocking Hamilton, and how exactly did it relate to him retiring?

No, it was most certainly not mocking Hamilton, rather made towards his diehard fans that have to defend him at all times. It's clear to see and I think you missed the whole point

Fantaribo · Post by **Fantaribo** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 2:48 pm

pokerman wrote: Like Hamilton is seriously looking at racing in FE?

If I was shown that clip I wouldn't know what year it was either, who watches FE anyway?

Don't make a fool of yourself, people do watch Formula E. The HK E-Prix was far more entertaining than the Abu Dhabi GP by the way.

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 3:13 pm

pokerman wrote:
Zoue wrote:
pokerman wrote:
Exediron wrote:
mikeyg123 wrote:https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.
Cue certain people being offended that you're discussing the possibility of Hamilton retiring early...
No it looks more like an opportunity to mock Hamilton.
I think you've just proven the point being made?
What point would that be?

It's in the line above you. You're clearly taking objection to the topic. There is no need to go into defence mode whenever Hamilton is discussed

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 7:14 pm

pokerman wrote:
mikeyg123 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
Exediron wrote:
mikeyg123 wrote:https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hami ... f1-984187/

I've often speculated that Hamilton won't grow old in the sport but this is the first time he has indicated that may be true.

Hamilton says he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2019 when his current contract expires. He would be 34.
Cue certain people being offended that you're discussing the possibility of Hamilton retiring early...
No it looks more like an opportunity to mock Hamilton.
I think it's funny tbf.
Like Hamilton is seriously looking at racing in FE?

If I was shown that clip I wouldn't know what year it was either, who watches FE anyway?

It's still funny. And FE is good fun to watch.

Lotus49 · Post by **Lotus49** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 7:41 pm

I can't see him retiring until he's either in a bad car for a season or two or is completely out of Vettel's reach stats wise. I think he could be in the game for longer than people think.

Certainly think he's got another couple of contracts first and won't retire before 36/7 whatever cars he's got. He's a sharp cookie and be knows he'll be a long time retired and I think he's more interested in breaking records and leading stats than he let on previously.

He's hinted a little at it in recent times and the Merc boss made a comment about stats or records and Lewis's interest in it I believe (I'm paraphrasing heavily, I can't recall the exact wording sorry) so I think he'll be around for a good while yet thankfully.

2-3 years time we could have a grid with Lewis,Seb,Max,Dan,Alo,Leclerc,Ocon,Sainz,Vandoorne and Norris all in pretty competitive shape. Ideally at the 5 biggest budget teams but maybe that's a step too far for the wish list but something like this for 2019/20 would do me..

Mercedes-Ham/Oco
Ferrari-Seb/Lec
Red Bull-Max/Dan
Renault-Alo/Sai
McLaren-Van/Nor

I may have strayed a little O/T sorry.

Bentrovato · Post by **Bentrovato** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:26 pm

Part of the reason I like Hamilton is because he's a bit of a bad donkey non-conformist. Part of the reason I don't like him is he went to fashion show last night instead of the FIA hall of fame induction. I still like him but I feel to be an all time great, you have to be an ambassador for your sport or else it seems like you do it for the money and fame.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/12/05 ... l-of-fame/

Ennis · Post by **Ennis** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:01 pm

Bentrovato wrote:Part of the reason I like Hamilton is because he's a bit of a bad donkey non-conformist. Part of the reason I don't like him is he went to fashion show last night instead of the FIA hall of fame induction. I still like him but I feel to be an all time great, you have to be an ambassador for your sport or else it seems like you do it for the money and fame.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/12/05 ... l-of-fame/

And rather bizarrely, he'll do a lot more for the sport of F1 going to fashion shows than he will an FIA award ceremony.

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:51 pm

Bentrovato wrote:Part of the reason I like Hamilton is because he's a bit of a bad donkey non-conformist. Part of the reason I don't like him is he went to fashion show last night instead of the FIA hall of fame induction. I still like him but I feel to be an all time great, you have to be an ambassador for your sport or else it seems like you do it for the money and fame.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/12/05 ... l-of-fame/

but isn't going to a fashion show instead of the FIA event being non-conformist?!

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:51 pm

Ennis wrote:
Bentrovato wrote:Part of the reason I like Hamilton is because he's a bit of a bad donkey non-conformist. Part of the reason I don't like him is he went to fashion show last night instead of the FIA hall of fame induction. I still like him but I feel to be an all time great, you have to be an ambassador for your sport or else it seems like you do it for the money and fame.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/12/05 ... l-of-fame/
And rather bizarrely, he'll do a lot more for the sport of F1 going to fashion shows than he will an FIA award ceremony.

Don't see that, really. How will that raise F1's profile?