Hamilton won’t retire from F1 until he wins eighth title 

• F1 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix - Full Race results from Round 1

During a lie detector test in Sky Sports F1’s build-up to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton insisted he is determined to secure a record eighth drivers’ crown before he calls time on his career. 

Asked if he is going to keep going until he gets his eighth title, Hamilton replied: “Yes.” 

Hamilton finished in P7 in Bahrain and watched old rival Max Verstappen begin his title defence with another victory.

Hamilton is currently tied with Michael Schumacher on seven world championships, having been denied an eighth title in the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

Last season Hamilton was unable to compete for the world championship in Mercedes’ underperforming W13. 

With Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitting the team made a mistake by continuing with their radical sidepod concept in 2023, it appears Hamilton will face another uphill struggle this year. 

The seven-time world champion is out of contract at the end of the season but is expected to sign a new deal with Mercedes.