16 November 2023 , 19:40
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Lewis Hamilton admits he has contemplated retirement but insists he remains determined to keep his Formula 1 dream alive.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, narrowly missed out on winning a record eighth crown two years ago. He's since struggled to keep up with reigning champion Max Verstappen, failing to win a single race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes star's car is to blame for his recent results. Speaking ahead of this Sunday's Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton suggested Mercedes don't have a "race-winning car". Team boss Toto Wolff has also lamented their failure to produce the best motor in F1.
Hamilton believes Mercedes got complacent during their long stint at the top of F1, as they won every Constructors' Championship between 2014 and 2021. Although he's admitted the last two years have been tough, he's determined to become a champion again.
In an interview with ABC News, Hamilton was asked how he stays positive during a difficult time. He replied: "Growing up, I won a lot. I always had at least one win each year.
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"I think the last two years have been a great experience to really be fighting with the team. We were winning for such a long time and when you win for so long, we all get complacent and take things for granted. I think this has been a great time for us to really pull back, have our feet on the ground and start back up and dig deep.
"And I think for me, it's just always knowing that we can be better each day. I know I can be fitter. I know I can do more, I can be more efficient with my work, with my time."
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Hamilton, who will turn 39 in January, then revealed how he quashes those retirement thoughts. The former champion explained: "I have days where I'm like, I don't want to work out, this sucks. But you just got to keep pushing. You got to keep getting up."
Hamilton has described the 2023 campaign, which will end after next weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as a "killer season". He's looking forward to taking a break "to get my head in the right place" and to "spend some time with my family".
The veteran is also hoping Mercedes' mechanics can give him a better car for next season. He told reporters before this Sunday's race: "I don't even think it (my car) is probably a race-winning car still. That's what we're going to have to work on for next year.
"But, either way, we're going to be fighting to try and stay ahead of the Ferrari and the fact that we are competing for second in the constructors' title is amazing given from where we started. So I'm really hopeful we can maintain that position."