Hamilton doubles down: No plans on stopping 'any time soon'

It's a recurring theme lately in F1, but rumors of Lewis Hamilton's retirement from F1 are very much exaggerated, as the seven-time world champion reiterates that he has "no plans on stopping anytime soon".

Hamilton's current contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this season, and while all signs point to the two parties extending their collaboration, the absence of a new deal continues to fuel the speculation surrounding the Briton's future.

A recent report in the Italian media claimed that it's an open secret that Charles Leclerc and Mercedes are talking about the future, an allegation denied by both the Monegasque and team boss Toto Wolff.

Speaking to ESPN last weekend, Hamilton once again addressed the rumors surrounding his future and a prospective retirement from the sport.

"I don't plan on stopping any time soon," he said. "I'm not at the end of my career, I'm not in the downhill slope of my career. I'm in my prime.

"It all depends on how hard I want to work and keep myself in my prime, in terms of physical and mental capability."

Read on:

• Wolff: Leclerc 'someone you must have on your radar'

Hamilton revealed that part of his drive has been inspired by the longevity of NBA and NFL sporting legends LeBron James and Tom Brady.

"If you look at LeBron, if you look at Tom Brady, they have shown that it can be sustained for as long as you are dedicated enough to put the energy and time in.

"Right now, I don't plan on changing, I only plan on adding to the drive and the motivation and to being better. I'm massively driven."

Earlier this month, Hamilton said that he hopes to emulate the great Stirling Moss and forever remain affiliated with Mercedes as a brand ambassador and advisor, which implies that if his future in F1 is rock solid, than so is his tenure with the German manufacturer?

"I'd be lying if I said I'd never thought about ending my career anywhere else," he admitted.

"I started at McLaren, I'd like to think I'll always be a part of the McLaren family, I started there when I was 13 years old, so I thought about what it would look like if I was at McLaren one day.

"I thought about and watched the Ferrari drivers on the screens at the track and of course you wonder what it would be like to be in red... But then I go to my team, to Mercedes, and this is my home.

"I'm happy where I am. I haven't signed a contract yet, but we are working on one."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter