Hamilton hints that future will depend on car

London: Lewis Hamilton has hinted that he may leave McLaren if the Formula One team does not provide him with a winning car ahead of the German and Hungarian Grand Prix races. The 27-year-old racer’s contract with McLaren will expire at the end of the season and he has admitted he may leave the team with whom he has been since the age of 13.

“There are lots of things to take into account,' said Hamilton. “These people (McLaren) have supported me; these are the people that got me into Formula 1. But, you know, I want to win.

“I'm not that young any more so I want to make sure that whatever I do that I make the right decision so I can maximize my career. I just need to make sure that I'm winning. That's what I exist for, that's what I train and work for every day.”

The McLaren driver may move on from the team he has represented since he was 13.

Hamilton did not drop any names – he could join Mercedes if Michael Schumacher retires – but did say that he hoped to initiate talks during the off-season. “We haven’t sat down and discussed anything yet but I'm sure over the summer break, when we have the summer break, it would be nice to get something in place.”

It has been a tough season for McLaren, who started 2012 with the fastest car for the first time in many years but have been plagued with operational problems. Though he has slipped from the pace in the last two races, Hamilton was hopeful of ending the season on a better note.

“I've been ready all year to win. We should have won a lot more races than we have, but there are many more races to go. We still have a lot more chances to get some wins and I think it’s possible,” he said. “Up until now we’ve not developed as fast as other people. Other people have brought some more upgrades in the past than we have, but we have a big upgrade coming for the next race (in Germany), so let’s hope that it does the job and gets us in a fighting position.”

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