It's almost Hamilton's birthday: how likely is a title for a 39-year-old?

Lewis Hamilton will celebrate his 39th birthday this Sunday. Yet that is not yet a time for the Briton to retire: for at least two more seasons, the most successful driver ever wants to try and win a historic, eighth world title. But is it realistic to expect that title to come yet?

It is not going to be down to Hamilton's qualities. Any F1 viewer knows that, at heart, the 103-time Grand Prix winner still has the qualities to go for the title. What prevented him from playing a significant role in the title race over the past two seasons was his Mercedes. The German team missed the mark for the second season in a row, although Mercedes eventually finished second in the constructors' championship.

Hamilton dependent on Mercedes

It remains to be seen whether Mercedes manage to put a car on the grid that can challenge Red Bull Racing in 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, the timespan for Hamilton, who tops the list in terms of world titles alone (he currently shares this spot with Michael Schumacher), is getting shorter. The Brit has more passions besides racing, such as fashion and film. If he fails to become champion in the next two seasons, will he continue like Fernando Alonso even at 42?

Based on the numbers, Hamilton taking the world title once again seems increasingly unlikely. Although five men managed to win the title after their 39th birthday, four did so in the 1950s and 1960s (Fangio, Farina, Brabham and Graham Hill). Only Nigel Mansell became Formula 1 champion at 39 (in 1992), but that was 'only' nine days after his birthday.

Is Hamilton like Alonso?

Former F1 driver John Watson believes Hamilton still has it in him to become world champion. "If Lewis still has the same fire in his belly that Fernando (Alonso, 42 years old and driving superbly for Aston Martin), I see no reason why Lewis can't go on to take an eighth title. But it depends on whether Mercedes can give him the car to do it," the Brit told the Daily Mail.

"I would love to see is him being given the platform to take on Max Verstappen. He is the only one who could challenge him given the right package. Then we would see how Max responds," Watson said.