Lewis Hamilton eyes Formula E move after F1

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton eyes Formula E move after F1

Do you want to see Lewis try the electric series?

Matthew Scott

Sunday 7 April 2019 10:31

Lewis Hamilton has suggested he could be tempted to move to another racing series when his Formula 1 career winds to a close, name-dropping Formula E as a potential destination. The five-time world champion has often previously hinted that he would not be interested in racing elsewhere when he steps away from F1.

Hamilton's decision was seemingly influenced by Mercedes' Silverstone event to celebrate 125 years in motorsport, in which Hamilton got his hands on Mercedes racing cars old and more recent from F1 and DTM.

The Silver Arrows' first Formula E car was also at the circuit, and the 34-year-old appears to have liked what he saw.

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"Up until now it has always been about Formula 1," he is quoted by The Sun. "But I just drove an old DTM car today, which I really loved.

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"I rarely get to a track these days and have some fun, so that experience was extraordinary.

"It was so cool driving my 2015 car and then the 196. It was a unique experience.

"Being that I have been racing since I was eight years old, I am going to have massive withdrawal symptoms, like every driver has when they stop racing, when Formula 1 stops for me.

"There are other things to do. I guess there are other series I could do.

"Fernando Alonso is doing IndyCar and you see Kimi Raikkonen still pushing the boundaries."

Stoffel Vandoorne and Gary Paffett are racing for the Mercedes-affiliated HWA team in Formula E this year, which will make way for the Silver Arrows' first entrant into the all-electric series next season.

Paffett has a long association with Mercedes through DTM, and his path is one that Hamilton could have an interest in.

"I actually grew up in the same era as Gary Paffett. He is a little bit older than me and he is now racing in Formula E and that is now going to be the future," the world champion added.

"So, who knows, in the future that's maybe an area where I can use my skills but as you get older, it is more challenging to find the motivation to stay focused and you have to find something you love.

"I am pretty sure I will always love cars, and for now I am going to try and stay in Formula 1, so long as I stay focused and fit, I will carry on driving the best that I can."