Hamilton - "I don't quit when the going gets tough"

Lewis Hamilton has made clear he will not quit Mercedes should it fail to produce a Formula 1 championship-winning car again this season.

Mercedes goes into the new campaign facing what appears to be its toughest test yet of its dominance of F1 since the introduction of the current turbo-hybrid era.

With Hamilton only signing a one-year deal to cover this season, it has cast doubt on his commitment to the team, especially if it struggles throughout the year and the 36-year-old fails to win a record-breaking eighth title.

But a defiant Hamilton said: "The position I'm in has nothing to do with the car or we're not winning a championship. That's not going to...I don't quit when the going gets tough.

"I wanted a one-year deal, and yes, I said to Toto [Wolff] it would be good if we are to work on the future together that we should talk about it much earlier than January, just before pre-season testing starts.

"I'm fully committed to this sport. This sport is, I think, in the best place it's been in terms of the steps we are taking. I'm really proud of what F1 is doing, acknowledging it has a better platform to work towards a better world, and I love what I'm doing.

"I've arrived more excited than I have in a long time. I just said to Bono [senior race engineer Pete Bonnington] that I'm excited to get going.

"We're going to have a really great battle one way or another, and that's what I've always loved."

Hamilton has also dismissed suggestions that in the back of his mind this year could be his last regardless of whether he retains his title or not.

"In the current position I'm in I don't feel like this is the end," declared Hamilton.

"Of course, we've got these changes that are happening next year that are exciting. I think this [year] look looks like it could be the most exciting yet - we've got new teams, new formats, it's closer.

"I don't feel like I'm at the end but over the next eight months or so, I'll find out whether I'm ready to stop or not. I don't think I will, personally, but you never know."

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