Hamilton: 'The day I leave Mercedes is the day I leave F1'

Lewis Hamilton could see himself racing for another F1 team, but admits the prospect is very unlikely given his success at Mercedes.

Hamilton's contract with the German manufacturer runs out at the end of 2018. Various rumors have put the three-time world champion in an early retirement, or even in a Mercedes-Ferrari swap with Sebastian Vettel.

While the three-time world champion admits it would be cool to race for another team, he doubts he could duplicate the outstanding success and productive relationship he currently enjoys with the Silver Arrows squad.

"If I was to move, I would have to try and take what we have here and try to implement it somewhere else, but do I really want to do that? Is there a real need?" he recently said.

"Of course I look at other teams that I have admired, I look at Williams and look at how cool it would be to one day drive for Williams and help them get back to the top, but I don't have a magic board.

"I don't know how long that will take or even if that's even possible, just that I admire Frank and the Williams team for its history."

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Hamilton admits he has a soft spot for Ferrari, but Mercedes provides him with not only a winning car but also a potentially winning future.

Moving away from the Mercedes would likely mean a move away from F1 altogether.

"There's no other team except for Ferrari that could ever be interesting, but right now I love being here, I love the people I work for, the people I work with and what the company represents."

"I am so happy where I am," he added.

"I tell you when I joined this team I couldn't have imagined it being [so good]; regardless of our results, it's the environment that I live in.

"I couldn't have dreamed it being better and I am pretty sure there is no other team that has this environment, I am pretty certain of it.

"On top of that, when you're a Mercedes driver, there's no other team in the whole sport I think that takes care of its drivers like Mercedes does.

"So to turn your back and leave that behind, that is a really difficult call to make.

"If I was to jump ship from here, that would be when I stop. Mercedes take care of their drivers.

"Whether it's including them in events, whether it's including them in commercials, you continue to be an ambassador for the brand.

"Every single driver has been so that's a lot to throw away."

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