Liberty's plans could influence Hamilton's F1 future

Lewis Hamilton has suggested that Liberty Media's future vision for Formula 1 could decide whether he stays in the sport or not. F1's owners will outline their vision for the future over the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, while Hamilton continues to mull over a new deal with Mercedes.

Reigning world champion Hamilton's deal with the Silver Arrows expires at the end of the current season, although both the driver and his team have spoken in expectation of agreeing fresh terms.

Liberty will offer a glimpse into F1's future in 2021 and beyond in Sakhir on Friday and the contract reportedly on the table for Hamilton would take him up to that point in time.

And the four-time world champion concedes it is unclear whether he will remain in F1 to see the changes introduced.

"It's quite an interesting time in Formula 1," said Hamilton.

"Obviously we've got tomorrow potentially some sort of announcement, discussions of what's happening in F1 moving forward.

"It's always good to wait to hear some of those and see the future of Formula 1.

"For sure that could or could not have an impact on decisions we make in terms of length or whatever we end up doing in Formula 1."

Hamilton's move to Mercedes has reaped rich rewards as he has added three more titles to his collection.

If Hamilton does commit his future to Mercedes, it could even be the final deal of his career and the Briton says his career is at a crucial juncture.

"The next contract is probably the most important one of my career, this decision I make," he added.

"The last contract was the most important up to that point and the next one will be even more important than the last one.

"So the length, your decision how long you want to commit to being in Formula 1 is becoming more and more important I think for me, being that I'm at the latter end of my career."