Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton says he does not have to justify his decision to move to Ferrari and regrets the ongoing debate over whether he made the right choice.
Before the start of this season, the 39-year-old Hamilton announced his unexpected decision to leave Mercedes at the end of the year and move to rival Ferrari. Hamilton has not won in the last two seasons, and this year he has the worst start to the season of his career, as he won only 10 points in the first four races and never placed in the top six.
"I don't think my decision needs to be justified. I think I know what's right for me and that hasn't changed since I made the decision," Hamilton said, the Guardian reported.
The motorsport world, as well as the sports world, was shocked by Hamilton's decision to switch to Ferrari. During his career, he already made a similar move, when in 2013 he moved from McLaren to Mercedes, a team that was not among the contenders for the title at the time.
"There was never a moment where I questioned the decision and I'm not affected by other people's comments. Even today, people are talking to...and they will continue to do so until the end of the year. I will have to do what I did last time. Only you know what's good for you, and it will be an exciting time for me," said Hamilton, who holds the record in Formula 103 with 1 victories.
Hamilton has said ahead of the upcoming race in China that he intends to race well into his forties, citing 42-year-old Spaniard Fernando Alonso as an example.
Alonso recently extended his contract with Aston Martin and will compete until 2026, after his 45th birthday. Hamilton will be 40 when he starts driving for Ferrari next season and thinks age is no problem.
"I'll be racing for a while, in my 40s, so it's definitely good that Fernando is still around and will be for a while. I never thought I'd be racing in my 40s, I'm pretty sure I said I wouldn't, but life is so crazy. I'm getting closer in my forties, I feel quite young," said the British driver.
"Fernando is one of the best drivers in our sport and for him to be here and get results, it just shows what's possible," added Hamilton.
The Formula 1 championship continues for the weekend in Shanghai, and the race for the Chinese Grand Prix takes place on Sunday from 9 am.
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