Hamilton keen to stay with Mercedes for life
F1's highest paid race driver wants to stay with Benz, and has no interest in Le MansLewis Hamilton's relationship with Mercedes-Benz looks set to become even more comfortable, after the three-time Formula 1 world champion confirmed he wants to see out his career driving for the German marque.
During a wide-ranging interview in the UK for the launch of the Mercedes-AMG GT R, F1's highest-paid driver -- who rakes in an estimated $60 million per year -- said he's looking forward to becoming an ambassador for the brand and is working towards developing his own 'LH Series' supercar with Mercedes-AMG.
"At the moment I'm there for another three years, and I can't see myself anywhere else," he told motoring.com.au.
"I've been there since I was 13. The great thing with Mercedes, if you look at all their drivers from all different classes, you look at Mika [Häkkinen], you look at Stirling Moss, you are part of the family for life.
"It's not the same at any other team," he said.
Having once had aspirations to drive for Ferrari, the Brit is clearly now looking to solidify his relationship with the German luxury car company.
"Even if you're a Ferrari driver, you're not a part of that family for the rest of your life. They don’t include you in everything," said Hamilton.
"Michael Schumacher was here for a few years and he's part of the Benz family forever. I don’t take that for granted."
Hamilton's assessment of the current F1 season mid-way through is that "It's going to be tough".
He said thus far this season is "the most difficult year so far, definitely," and observed that if he triumphed it would be the sweetest championship of his career.
Speaking of careers, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 driver, who's contracted with Mercedes until 2018, said he's not looking to switch into sports car racing later in life either.
"No. F1 is the pinnacle. I'm sure I could go and race in any series I want, but I currently don't have any desire to do it yet. There's some cool series but I just don’t have any desire to do it."
Asked if he might like to race in the Le Mans 24 Hour, one of the world's most famous events, as former Australian F1 driver Mark Webber has done, his reply was curt.
"I honestly have zero desire to do it."
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