Lewis Hamilton still gets a "huge thrill" competing in F1, but does not know if he would stay in the series if he were to lose that feeling.
Lewis Hamilton has explained that he still gets a "huge thrill" from driving in F1, something that if he were to lose would make him re-consider his position in motorsport.
The 39-year-old will join Ferrari from Mercedes for the 2025 F1 season, his 19th consecutive year racing in the championship.
Whilst others, such as Fernando Alonso, 43, have raced for longer, their time in F1 has been broken up by stints on the sidelines.
However, the seven-time drivers' champion has said he experiences "pinch myself" moments when behind the wheel of an F1 car.
"For me personally, when I get strapped in the first time and they start up the car, I get the same bubbly feeling inside," Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.
"And then when everyone moves the tyre blankets away and you pull out into the pit lane and drive out into Turn 1 and just do your first lap, I always get a huge thrill.
"There's so many moments that I still pinch myself that I still get to do this. It's really something I wish you could all feel and experience."
'If I was numb to it, that would really suck'
The British driver went on to admit that it is likely what has kept him racing for so long, suggesting that if he were to become "numb" to such feelings, he would "probably be doing something else" with his time.
The 105-time grand prix winner did state his retirement from F1 would have to be replaced by something that provided a similar thrill.
"But the cool thing… and it's probably why I'm still racing, is that it's not become such the norm that I don't feel it," Hamilton said.
"If I was numb to it, that would really suck, and I'd probably be doing something else.
"But I'd have to fly fighter jets or something... to come anywhere near close."
