Lewis Hamilton’s one-word answer reveals intent over F1 future

The Briton’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2023 with doubts over the seven-time champion’s long-term plans

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he will remain in F1 until he has won an eighth world title.

The Mercedes driver took part in a lie detector test before the 2023 season-opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Tasked with answering a series of questions with Sky Sports presenterSimon Lazenby, Hamilton was pushed on whether he will stay in the sport until he has claimed another World Championship.

Lewis Hamilton takes a lie detector test (Sky Sports F1 )

Should the 38-year-old win another drivers’ championship, he would surpass Michael Schumacher as the most decorated driver in the sport’s history, though the early signs for this season after a weekend to forget for Mercedes, with Hamilton coming home fifth.

After Lazenby’s question, Hamilton can be seen pausing to consider his answer, then responding with real conviction: “Yes.”

The answer is then confirmed as being truthful.

Nothing has been confirmed surrounding Hamilton’s Mercedes contract, which will expire at the end of the 2023 season, though Toto Wolff admitted talks are not the priority while Mercedes look to get a handle on their 2023 car philosophy.

Hamilton also spoke truthfully in the lie detector test when asked if he had ever lied to his team boss Wolff, though he did fib when saying he could beat team-mate George Russell in an arm wrestle.

Asked if the Silver Arrows will put a Plan B in place if Hamilton does not commit to an extension, team principal Wolff said: “There is no point talking about the driver situation for 2024.

“That is far too early. We have to all push in the same direction, the drivers, engineers and management, rather the throwing in the towel.

“We have never done that and we will not do that now.”

Speaking in the build-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton, 38, said only a catastrophe would prevent him from extending his stay with Mercedes.

But his comments came before he hit the track and the extent of his team’s troubles were exposed.

Hamilton finished fifth in Bahrain, with team-mate Russell coming home seventh. They will next be in action at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (17-19 March).