Stevenage's Lewis Hamilton has an "uncertain" future in Formula One and could "leave the sport entirely" in the coming years, a former Red Bull engineer has claimed.
Hamilton is tied with Michael Schumacher on a record seven F1 world titles, but with Mercedes struggling to provide him with a race-winning car in 2022 and 2023, that elusive eighth title looks unlikely.
The 38-year-old is out of contract with the German team this summer, and there have been rumours of a move to Ferrari for next season.
But, Dan Drury, a former senior systems engineer at Red Bull and fellow Stevenage native, believes Hamilton will stay loyal to Mercedes, but that his future in the sport is far from certain.
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"I can't see Lewis going to Ferrari," he told the Comet.
"I think Mercedes have treated him well in the past and he's happy there.
"The only way I see it going is that he signs for an extra year or two, see how the car goes or just leave the sport entirely. It all looks a bit uncertain.
"But, if Fernando Alonso can still do it at 41 years old, there is no reason that Lewis can't keep going."
A vastly different car concept to rivals Red Bull and Ferrari has been blamed for Mercedes' issues. Dan believes the cost cap has also been a problem for the team who won eight consecutive World Constructors' Championships between 2014 and 2021.
"I'm surprised by how bad things have got for Mercedes recently," he continued.
"The problem they've got, is now that the cost cap is in place, they can't just spend their way out of it.
READ MORE: Inside F1 with Stevenage's former Red Bull engineer
"That's what they've done previously. They now have to juggle resources and decide whether to keep going with this concept or start from scratch.
"Before, they could have just chucked £100 million at the problem and fixed it."
Despite his recent sturggles, Dan is in no doubt as to where Hamilton ranks among Formula One's all-time greats, adding: "He's tied with Michael Schumacher for the most world titles, and he has the most race wins ever, so it's hard not to say that he's the greatest driver of all-time, even as someone who used to work for Red Bull."
Hamilton's has also been pushed by his new Mercedes team-mate George Russell, who arrived from Williams for the 2022 season, and secured the teams only race win last campaign at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Dan has been impressed with the British driver, and believes he could be a world champion in the making.
"I think George Russell could win a championship in the future," he said.
"I'm surprised at how well he's done for Mercedes since leaving Williams.
"It isn't easy to jump into a top team and do what he's doing, so I'm very impressed with George, and I have high hopes for him."
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