Hamilton still has 'the hunger' to race on for many years

Lewis Hamilton says he hopes to grace the grids of Formula 1 for many more years, relying on his work ethic, good health and passion to keep him among the sport's top contenders.

Hamilton has been at the peak of his game for several seasons, but at 37 many believe that Grand Prix racing's most successful driver will see his motivation slowly begin to wane according to a natural process that strikes all athletes.

Indeed, Hamilton himself has alluded in the past to a desire not to extend his stay in F1 past his prime or race on into his forties like fellow world champions Kimi Raikkonen or Fernando Alonso.

But speaking to fans last weekend at Dubai Expo 2022 ahead of this weekend's opening round of the F1 world championship, the seven-time world champion appears to have revised his retirement scheme.

"I hope so, I hope so!" he said when asked if he plans to remain on the grid for years to come. "One day at a time, right? I think one day at a time.

"What I do know is that I still love what I do. I'm still so challenged. I didn't think at this age I would feel so sharp and so energised.

"I'm still getting up for my morning runs and still putting those workouts in, still putting the time in, more than the other youngsters do!

"I've had the success that I've had, so I'm grateful that I've still got that hunger, and we'll see."

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Hamilton says a stringent work ethic and healthy regime coupled with being in a happy place in his daily life are the main fuels that keep him hungry for success, despite the difficult challenges thrown his way by F1's younger generation.

"I'm always trying to be better, I'm always trying to be the best version of myself," he said

"I think we live in a crazy time in the world and for all of us, probably, we're always just trying to stay focused on being happy, finding that happy centre, you know, being the best you can be every single day.

"For me, right now, it's focusing on being the healthiest I can be. I think today, I feel the healthiest, the fittest I've ever been, the most focused.

"My work ethic, I think, is better than it's ever been. I know exactly what I want, and I know exactly how to get there. It's not an easy road, but I know together we can do it."

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