Five-time champion Lewis Hamilton threatens to quit if F1 continues to expand
Published on Nov. 8, 2018
Five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has threatened to quit Formula One if organizers keep adding races to an already congested calendar.
Hamilton secured his latest drivers' title with a fourth-place finish in Mexico last time out, the 19th stop on the 2018 campaign.
Brazil and the United Arab Emirates are the final two races of the season, the latter coming Nov. 25, eight months after the curtain-raiser in Melbourne.
Hamilton is not a fan, though, and has suggested he would leave the sport should further additions be made.
"I am not going to be here if it gets to 25 races, that's for sure," said the Mercedes ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. "It already feels like we are on race 25 this year, so I don't think that's a good thing. I think 18 was probably the best back in the day."
The 2019 schedule also has 21 races but will run from mid-March to early December, while owner Liberty Media is keen to add further races.
In 2020, the first Vietnam Grand Prix will take place, while there have been suggestions an extra race in the United States — in Miami — could be added.
In case you missed it earlier...
The #VietnamGP is coming to #F1 in 2020! >> https://t.co/r7D21j8KqO pic.twitter.com/3U4litVPGN
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 7, 2018
"I'm someone who really loves racing but the season is long," Hamilton said. "It's a lot of commitment for all of us and a lot of time away from families, and the seasons are getting longer and the off time is getting shorter.
"All I can do is speak is for myself. The turnaround is so short, you start preparing for your next season often as soon as the season is done. Getting your mind turned. That's very difficult. Then you have to find a way of switching off and recovering at the same time."
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