Lewis Hamilton said his one-year deal with Mercedes should not be seen as keeping the door open to leave Formula One at the end of the year.
Hamilton and Mercedes agreed to its 2021 expansion earlier this year, although the final period was much shorter than most expected. Hamilton is looking to win his eighth highest Formula One title this year.
The one-year expansion has opened up speculation about the future of Hamilton and whether Mercedes could go into rule change next season looking for another one for the seven-time world champion.
Ahead of this weekend’s season opener, Bahrain Grand Prix Hamilton has said he will not leave F1 right now which will stop him from getting the best car on the grid.
“My situation has nothing to do with whether or not we win a competition,” said Hamilton. “I will not give up when it becomes difficult.
“I wanted a one – year contract. I told Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team principal] if we are going to work on the future together, we should talk about it much earlier than January before the season starts. I am fully committed to this sport.
“This sport, I think, has been in the best place it has been in terms of the steps we are taking and what F1 is doing in terms of technology and creating a platform to work towards a better world I love what I do and I reach more exciting than I have been in a long time.
“I told Bono [Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington] that I am excited to find out and we have a really good battle one way or another. That’s what I always liked. “
When asked if he would go in this year thinking that this might be his last one in F1, he replied: “No, in my normal situation I don’t i feel like this is the end.
“Of course, we have those changes that are happening next year, which are exciting. I think it looks like this could be the most exciting season yet; teams new forms, new forms and it ‘s closer.I don’t feel like I’m at the end, but just the next eight months or so I’ll let you know and find out if I’m ready to stop or not.
“I don’t think so, personally. But you never know.” Like all F1 races this year, the Bahrain Grand Prix will be broadcast live on ESPN in the US