Lewis Hamilton insists he “will never be old” while claiming he can continue to race until 50.

The seven-time champion will begin his debut season in the iconic red of in several weeks’ time. Anticipation has been bubbling to see theever race for the most successful team in its long history, having with Mercedes.

and the Silver Arrows enjoyed the most successful partnership F1 has ever seen in the form of six drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ championships. Yet, after thewith Mercedes, there were murmurings over whether the 40-year-old Brit is past his best.

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Hamilton, speaking in a bombshell interview with magazine, has now slammed shut such sentiments. Ahead of a season where his biggest competitors will be 27-year-old , 25-year-old Lando Norris and 27-year-old team-mate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton feels as energised as ever.

“The old man is a state of mind,” he said. “Of course your body ages. But I’m never going to be an old man.” Hamilton went on to add: “What I can tell you is, retirement is nowhere on my radar. I could be here until I’m 50, who knows.”

There was a time, however, when Hamilton was more open to the idea of calling time on his career at Mercedes. Not long after he signed his extension with the team, the veteran said that hanging up his helmet in the near future wasn't off the table.

In January 2024, he said: "That is still possible. I have no set plan for the future - I still feel fit and still enjoy what I do. I've now learned that you should never say never in life."

And in his final season in Brackley last year, even Mercedes team principal suggested that the man many believe to be the greatest to ever do it may be past his best, claiming that “everyone has a shelf life”.

Five months later, Hamilton has expanded on that remark, pointing to the achievements of once-in-a-generation athletes like LeBron James and Tom Brady who achieved success at a similar age.

Hamilton said: “Don’t ever compare me to anybody else. I’m the first and only black driver that’s ever been in this sport. I’m built different. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had my own journey.

“You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, driver in history. Because they are nothing like me. I'm hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids. I'm focused on one thing, and that's winning. That's my No. 1 priority."

Hamilton's move to Maranello certainly appears to reignited a fire in his belly. Having put in an impressive showing for Ferrari at testing in Bahrain this week, all eyes will be on his 2025 debut race at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.

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