F1: Lewis Hamilton warns rivals he has no plans to retire any time soon

Hamilton: there is more to win

Lewis Hamilton has sent out a warning to his rival drivers in Formula 1: he’s feeling fantastic, has more to achieve and has no plans to retire just yet.

The five-time world champion is on track for a sixth title after eight wins and 250 points from 12 races so far in 2019.

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His contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the 2020 season but the 34-year-old “loves driving” and continues to enjoy the challenge.

Quoted by RaceFans, the Briton said: “One day I will have to stop but right now I feel fantastic. Physically, generally this year, and mentally. So I don’t currently have any plans of stopping any time soon.

“And there’s more to do, there’s more to win, there’s more to achieve together, inside and outside of the car, within the sport and outside the sport.”

Horner: F1 would be boring without us

Christian Horner says F1 would be a “boring show” if it wasn’t for Red Bull and Max Verstappen.

Mercedes have dominated the season but Verstappen’s victories in Austria and Germany have seen the Bulls challenge the Silver Arrows at the front of the grid.

Red Bull boss Horner said: “Thank God for Red Bull and Max Verstappen for Formula 1 at the moment because otherwise it would be a pretty boring show.

“I think the last four races in reality have been great races after the bore-fest of France. Hopefully with tracks that we’ve got coming up there’s exciting races to come.

“If the grid does concertina, if we can have Max racing against Lewis and the Ferraris up there as well, it’s bright for the future.”

Verstappen clause expires

GPFans reports that Max Verstappen’s performance clause in his Red Bull contract expired last Sunday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said: “Having the clause was normal, as we had a new engine supplier [Honda]. And of course, performance is important.”

New deal for Mexico GP

A new contract is set to be signed to keep the Mexican Grand Prix on the F1 calendar.

The current deal for the race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City expires this year but the new terms could be officially confirmed by the FIA on Thursday.

In a video posted on Twitter Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said: “I want to share some good news that I just received. Formula 1 is staying in Mexico City.”

The 2019 Mexican Grand Prix will be held on Sunday 27 October.