Ahead of the 2023 season, ex-F1 world champion൩s Jenson Button and Damon Hill both ꦛsuggested Hamilton will not want to continue if Mercedes are uncompetitive for a second year in a row. 

The seven-time world champion - whose current contract expires at the end of 2023 - hit back at Button and Hill for 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:“creating rumours without facts”, adding: “you would have thought ꦆ🍌that they would both know me by now”. 

Hamilton ha꧙s now received backing from former Mercedes teammate Rosberg, who dismissed talk of his old title rival quitting. 

“Well I think everyone including Lewis himself wants to see him right at the front fighting Max Verstappen for🍃 race wins,” Rosberg, who beat Hamilton to the 2016 world title, told Sky. 

“Of course, that’s clear, but nevertheless I think for him it looks to be the case that he’s relishing the challenge to bring Mercedes back to the front once more and to get that eighth title because it’s still♏ possible. ▨;

“I don’t see 🃏him thinking about retireme꧒nt at the moment. He’s full on focused, big push and wanting to make the most out of the season.” 

Speaking on Thuꦫ⛄rsday, Hamilton insisted he is committed to Mercedes beyond this year even if the team have a “difficult” 2023 season. 

"Having a difficult year, like we had last yꦏear, I'm still here," he said. "Whether▨ or not we have a difficult year [this year]... I'll still be here.

"I'm a fighter, and we fight as a team. I love the challenge of finding solutions and I still believe I'm able to put the car in places that perhap♔s others are not able to, and I love that challenge.

"Of course I wish to be starting the season🍸 with a great car, but it's the journey I think 🧔that really counts.

"There is no hold-up with our contract. I've always been very, very relaxed and don't feel like I need to get it done right thi💝s second.

"I have a great relationship with Toto [Wolff] and Mercedes and we fully support each other. I'm really excited about the fut📖ure together and the work we're doing on and off the track.

"We'll𝔍 get there unless something catastrophic happens... maybe me and Toto g🐭et into the ring!"

But Hamilton was left despondent after a disappointing start to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix as he admitted Mercedes are a 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:“long way off” fighting at the front.