LEWIS HAMILTON has dropped a big hint that he could return to the UK to live in London.
The F1 world champion is renovating an £18million home in west London that he purchased in 2017 but has never moved in.
The Mercedes ace says he still intends to live in Monaco for the time being, insisting his London mansion is all part of his plans for the future.
He said: “Currently, I have no plans on changing where I live. I live in a dream place that all the other drivers live in too, in Monaco.
“I do have a home in England, which I am really excited to be finished, so when I do come to England I finally have an anchor.
“A place to call my own, rather than staying in hotels, which is never particularly enjoyable considering I do that a lot throughout the year.
“I think it is the start of something great and a place I will naturally have my family come to and maybe, in the future, have a family.”
Hamilton has been in Bahrain where he has been taking part in preseason testing ahead of the new F1 season, which also kicks off in the Gulf Kingdom on March 28th.
But it has been far from ideal practice as his Mercedes team have been plagued by reliability and handling issues, while rivals Red Bull look quick.
Hamilton, who was only fifth quickest yesterday (SUN) on the final day of the three-day test, added: “I think it is better when it doesn’t go smoothly.
“It’s better that it doesn’t go smooth now and go smooth once we get into the racing season.
“This is the perfect time for us to find the issues and have the problems. I welcome that.
“We’re a multi championship-winning team and we know how to pull together and keep our head down and focus on the job but, without doubt, it’s quite impressive to see the speed of some of the other teams.
“Red Bull are looking particularly strong. And it’s great to see McLaren, also looking strong and also Alpine, so I’m excited. That means more fun.
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“[Red Bull] are going to be a different machine or animal this year, with I think, a real good, strong lineup of the two drivers and, I think, a really good car.
“You can only assume they’re going to be right there at the front at the first race and it’s going to be a great long battle with them throughout the year.”
Hamilton is coming into this new season in search of an eighth world title that would move him clear of the joint-record he holds with Michael Schumacher.
But he will do it without the help of his right-hand man, former racer and advisor, Marc Hynes while he searches for a replacement.
Speaking of their amicable split, Hamilton said: “Marc is one of my best friends and he is moving on to do some other great things.
“We had an amazing partnership together and I am really proud of the work we achieved.
“I am going through some restructuring now moving forwards and have some plans I am working on in the future.
“There will be someone potentially for the short term and I will figure it out as I go along.”
