How good is Hamilton and how long can he stay in F1? – Q&A

Lando Norris won a changeable Brazilian Grand Prix from pole, while Max Verstappen recovered from a back-of-grid start to finish second and Isack Hadjar took third. Against that backdrop, BBC correspondent Andrew Benson answers a reader’s question about Lewis Hamilton’s standing in Formula 1 and how long he might remain competitive.

Hamilton has completed 400 grands prix and is Formula 1’s record-holder for wins and pole positions, while sharing the record of seven world championships with Michael Schumacher. He struggled against George Russell and Charles Leclerc during the 2022–25 ground-effect car era, but is performing strongly again and level with Leclerc in this year’s cars. At 41, Hamilton says he still has the pace and focus to compete; he wants to race until F1 returns to Africa, which is not expected before 2030, and may need a new Ferrari contract after next year.