Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he's unsure when he'll retire from F1 as the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi looms.
The 38-year-old was once the sport's dominant force, securing four of his seven titles between 2017 and 2020.
Ever since missing out on a historic eighth title to Max Verstappen two years ago, however, he's been unable to challenge the Red Bull star for supremacy.
Hamilton has now been asked when he'll walk away from F1 after so many years at the top.
Lewis Hamilton has struggled in F1 this season ahead of the final race in Abu Dhabi
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Per Grandpx.news, he said: "I don't know.
"And I don’t like planning the ending. I don’t know when that will be yet.
“You have to leave when you’re at the top. But I haven’t decided yet if it’s something I’m going to do.
"I want to get back to the top first. But that could take time.”
Hamilton would love nothing more than to move ahead of Michael Schumacher when it comes to the most F1 crowns.
But for all his driving ability, the 38-year-old's car has hampered his chances of adding to his haul.
Hamilton has regularly complained about his vehicle this term, with the Stevenage-born racer yet to win a single race this season.
And he's admitted he felt the performance of Mercedes was poor at the beginning of the campaign.
“We started this season with a car that was maybe the fourth best in the field," he added.
"Perhaps finishing ahead of Ferrari [in the constructors' championship] can also be a victory for us as a team.”
Hamilton is keen to clarify, however, that he's never once considered quitting Mercedes due to their car issues.
He instead believes in staying loyal to the side who has helped him clinch six titles over the years.
“It’s easy to walk away when things are difficult. But I’ve never done anything like that,” he said.
“I’ve always been there through thick and thin.
"I never considered leaving because the car wasn’t good enough.”
Of course, rumours and speculation continue to swirl.
Christian Horner said earlier in the week that he'd been approached by Hamilton's father about a potential switch to Red Bull.
Such a move would see the 38-year-old race alongside Verstappen - while it would also excite and captivate the F1 world.
It may even be a transfer that would see Hamilton finally secure the record eighth title he seeks.
However, he continues to insist he's never considered moving to Red Bull and says he hasn't spoken to Horner in a 'long time'.
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Lewis Hamilton has continued to deny Christian Horner's claim that he was interested in a move to Red Bull
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“Those rumours are not true," he added.
"I haven’t spoken to Christian (Horner) for a long time.
"And I often talk to Fred (Vasseur) in the paddock because we’ve known each other for a long time.
"I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13. There was never a question of whether I would continue here.
“Going to another team with a good car because you don’t win has zero appeal for me. Winning in a car that has been a winning car for a long time doesn’t feel like an achievement.”
