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Like Hamilton, would these F1 drivers still be driving in F1 at 40?

Would these F1 drivers imitate Hamilton? 'Own restaurant is fun too'

31 August 2023 at 15:31
Last update 31 August 2023 at 17:24
  • Toby McLuskie

Lewis Hamilton's contract extension means the currently 38-year-old Briton will race for two more seasons after 2023. So after passing the 40-year mark, he is ostensibly still in a Formula 1 car. Fernando Alonso is the oldest on the grid at 42, but would other drivers still race after their 40th birthday?

Tsunoda and Piastri on Hamilton

Yuki Tsunoda doubts he would do the same: "Still, probably 17 years to go. It would be nice if I would be able to achieve my goal of being a world champion. It would be nice if I could do my own thing that I wanted to do outside of racing. Own a restaurant would be nice," says the Japanese AlphaTauri driver.

Oscar Piastri sees it differently. "When you've had the amount of success that Lewis has had, I can imagine why he loves it so much. I think we all start out racing because we love it. Of course, the higher up you get, the more pressure there is and other commitments and stuff like that. I'd be quite happy if I'm racing at that age," he adds.

Ocon and Albon

Esteban Ocon also says he still loves racing: "If I don't drive a car for a week, I feel like I missed something. I need to get that adrenaline back and get that rush again. I'm just passionate. I'm addicted to driving. That's who I will be for the rest of my life," says the Alpine driver.

Alexander Albon admires Hamilton like other drivers: "I think to be able to be in Formula 1 until you're 40, realistically, you have to be a generational talent to be able to do it. I think all of us would like to be 40 and still be in Formula 1, but it doesn't normally turn out like that," Albon says.

Norris and Bottas enthusiastic

Drivers Lando Norris and Valtteri Bottas have also heard the news from Hamilton. "Someone who I looked up to when I was a little kid and still get the chance to race against him now. I'm happy and will continue to do so for a couple more years," Norris says. Bottas also talks about his former teammate: "He still seems to really enjoy racing, so that doesn't really surprise me."