Lewis Hamilton says he wants to “continue being a part” of Mercedes after he hangs up his helmet.
The Briton was closely associated with McLaren in the early stages of his F1 career, having made his debut for the Ron Dennis-led outfit in 2007 and won the first of his three titles the following year. After several fruitless attempts to add to his tally, Hamilton joined Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season, clinching another two crowns over the last couple of years.
The triple world champion previously said he plans on racing until his late thirties, and can already see himself taking an ambassadorial role for the German manufacturer thereafter.
“I look at my team, the Silver Arrows, and think I'm a part of this history which I will be for way beyond my time and I want to continue being a part of it,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. “When I stop racing, I still want to be a part of it.
“What I love about Mercedes when you look at Sir Stirling Moss, when you look at all drivers still today in their old age, they are still with Mercedes, you're with the brand for life.
“They take you under your wing, they look after you, you're part of it forever. I can't imagine myself not being a part of that.”
Hamilton’s title defence has been off to a shaky start this year amid reliability issues, sluggish getaways and that infamous first-lap collision with team-mate and championship leader Nico Rosberg
In the immediately wake of the incident, it did not take long for the rumour mill to start grinding about Hamilton potentially heading to pastures new in the future, though his current contract with Mercedes runs through the end of 2018.
But while Hamilton admits the lure of racing for a team like Ferrari remains powerful for any driver, the 31-year-old adds that he is very happy with his current situation.
“Without a doubt when I grew up watching F1 I saw the red car, it looked awesome. A Ferrari, whether it's a road car or an F1 car, look awesome. There's something particularly very special with the Italian passion for that team.
“But I've been with Mercedes since I was 13, more than most drivers at my age. I honestly don't, at the moment, look over at Sebastian [Vettel] in the Ferrari and think 'damn it I want his seat’.”
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