Rosberg: 'Hamilton is relishing this opportunity to work hard'

Lewis Hamilton does not yet have a contract in F1 for 2024, but former teammate Nico Rosberg does not think the Briton is ready to retire just yet. According to the German, Hamilton is instead thoroughly enjoying a challenging upcoming season.

There are rumours that Hamilton is already thinking of retirement. That the seven-time world champion does not yet have a contract for 2024 is striking on the one hand; Hamilton would love to take his eighth title and pass Michael Schumacher in the record books. For that, he might need a few more seasons. On the other hand, he might want to wait for another offer, as Mercedes does not seem to be getting off to a good start again in 2023.

'Hamilton is just enjoying himself'

For Mercedes, it also remains to be seen whether it is profitable to pay the salary Hamilton is asking for as long as they are the third team on the grid. Rosberg, who beat Hamilton in 2016 in a heated title battle in the final race of the season, does not think the Mercedes driver is working towards retirement.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, the former F1 champion said, “I think everybody, including Lewis Hamilton himself, wants to see him right at the front fighting Max Verstappen for race wins, of course that’s clear. Nevertheless, I mean I think for him it looks to be the case that he’s relishing the challenge to bring Mercedes back to the front once more and to get that 8th title, because of course it’s still possible. So I don’t see him thinking about retirement at the moment, so I think he’s full on focused"