Lewis Hamilton will not follow Sebastian Vettel until his retirement, the Brit even predicted that Fernando Alonso will go ahead of him.
Vettel shocked the Formula One paddock on Thursday when, aged just 35, he announced that this season would be his last in Formula One.
The German cited his need to spend time with his family and be there for his children as the main reason.
The four-time world champion was quick to add that age had nothing to do with his decision, as Vettel was only the third-oldest driver on the grid this year.
Hamilton is two years older at 37, while Alonso celebrates his 41st birthday on Friday.
Hamilton believes the Spaniard will join Vettel in retirement before him.
“It’s not like that,” he replied when asked if Vettel’s announcement made him reconsider his own future.
“It’s a reminder that I’m in this part of my career that the people that I’ve looked up to and competed with for so long are going to start to stop.
“Before you know it, Fernando won’t be here and then… who will be next? I will be the greatest. But no, it didn’t make me think about that.”
Seb, it has been an honor to call you a competitor and an ever greater honor to call you my friend. Leaving this sport better than you found it is always the goal. I have no doubt that what comes next will be exciting, meaningful and rewarding. i love you man pic.twitter.com/eHVmOpov2m
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 28, 2022
Instead of thinking about what comes after Formula 1, a question Vettel had been asking himself for some time, Hamilton says his only thoughts are what he can do to help Mercedes get back to the top step of the podium.
But, he admits, he will quit smoking before he burns out, he just doesn’t think that will happen anytime soon.
“Honestly, I’m thinking about how I can make this car better,” he said.
“I’m thinking about what are the steps I have to take to get this team to win again, what is the road map to win another World Championship.
“[I’m thinking] What are the steps that we all need to have aligned in this sport to do more to really start to reflect the work that we’re trying to do in terms of diversity. I’m thinking about all these things.
“When I talk about the fuel left in the tank, I’m still fighting for all these things and I still feel like I have a lot to do.
“Most likely when I stop, I’ll still have fuel in the tank. I don’t think I’ll go until it’s completely burned out and I’ve got nothing left, but hopefully it’ll be a short break.”