Lewis Hamilton sprays second-placed Sebastian Vettel with champagne after winning the Abu Dhabi season-ending race, 11th of his title winning season.
Lewis Hamilton sprays second-placed Sebastian Vettel with champagne after winning the Abu Dhabi season-ending race, 11th of his title winning season.
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Lewis Hamilton celebrates his 10th win of the season as he takes the Brazilian GP ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his 10th win of the season as he takes the Brazilian GP ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.
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Lewis Hamilton savors the moment after clinching his fifth F1 world title with fourth place behind Max Verstappen in the Mexican Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton savors the moment after clinching his fifth F1 world title with fourth place behind Max Verstappen in the Mexican Grand Prix.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Race winner Kimi Raikkonen is flanked by second-placed Max Verstappen (far left) and Lewis Hamilton, who finished third after a thrilling US Grand Prix. Hamilton increased his title lead to 70 points over Sebastian Vettel ahead of the final three rounds of the championship.
Race winner Kimi Raikkonen is flanked by second-placed Max Verstappen (far left) and Lewis Hamilton, who finished third after a thrilling US Grand Prix. Hamilton increased his title lead to 70 points over Sebastian Vettel ahead of the final three rounds of the championship.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Race winner Lewis Hamilton had plenty to celebrate after claiming victory in the Japanese GP at Suzuka to lead the world championship by 67 points with four rounds remaining.
Race winner Lewis Hamilton had plenty to celebrate after claiming victory in the Japanese GP at Suzuka to lead the world championship by 67 points with four rounds remaining.
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Lewis Hamilton (no 44) overtook fellow Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas under team orders on his way to a decisive victory in the 2018 F1 title race as he extended his advantage over Sebastian Vettel to 50 points.
Lewis Hamilton (no 44) overtook fellow Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas under team orders on his way to a decisive victory in the 2018 F1 title race as he extended his advantage over Sebastian Vettel to 50 points.
Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton led from pole position in his famous No.44 Mercedes and took his seventh victory of the season on the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore.
Lewis Hamilton led from pole position in his famous No.44 Mercedes and took his seventh victory of the season on the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore.
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Hamilton stormed to a record-equalling fifth Italian Grand Prix victory -- overtaking both Ferraris in the process.
Hamilton stormed to a record-equalling fifth Italian Grand Prix victory -- overtaking both Ferraris in the process.
Will Taylor-Medhurst/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring near Budapest to extend his title lead over Sebastian Vettel to 24 points.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring near Budapest to extend his title lead over Sebastian Vettel to 24 points.
ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton celebrates an extraordinary comeback win at the German Grand Prix to give him a 17-point championship lead as title rival Sebastian Vettel crashed out
Hamilton celebrates an extraordinary comeback win at the German Grand Prix to give him a 17-point championship lead as title rival Sebastian Vettel crashed out
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Dutch driver Max Verstappen claims a dramatic victory at the home of Red Bull Racing. But how does that impact the Drivers' Championship?
Dutch driver Max Verstappen claims a dramatic victory at the home of Red Bull Racing. But how does that impact the Drivers' Championship?
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Sebastian Vettel took full advantage of a bizarre incident involving both cars of the American-owned Haas team to claim the opening race of the 2018 Formula One season in Australia.
Melbourne, Australia -- 'Lucky' Vettel wins season opener —
Sebastian Vettel took full advantage of a bizarre incident involving both cars of the American-owned Haas team to claim the opening race of the 2018 Formula One season in Australia.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Vettel -- 25 points<br />Hamilton -- 18 points<br />Raikonnen -- 15 points
Drivers' title race after round 1 —
Vettel -- 25 points
Hamilton -- 18 points
Raikonnen -- 15 points
Mark Thompson/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Vettel won for the second time in as many races at the Bahrain Grand Prix. But the Italian team's victory was overshadowed after one of its mechanics suffered a broken leg when he was hit by Kimi Raikkonen's car during a pit stop.
Sakhir, Bahrain -- Ferrari win soured by injured mechanic —
Vettel won for the second time in as many races at the Bahrain Grand Prix. But the Italian team's victory was overshadowed after one of its mechanics suffered a broken leg when he was hit by Kimi Raikkonen's car during a pit stop.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Vettel -- 50 points<br />Hamilton -- 33 points<br />Bottas -- 22 points
Drivers' title race after round 2 —
Vettel -- 50 points
Hamilton -- 33 points
Bottas -- 22 points
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
An inspired Daniel Ricciardo claimed a remarkable and unexpected victory from sixth on the grid after a tactical masterstroke by his Red Bull team in Shanghai, with furious championship leader Vettel back in eighth place.
Shanghai, China —
An inspired Daniel Ricciardo claimed a remarkable and unexpected victory from sixth on the grid after a tactical masterstroke by his Red Bull team in Shanghai, with furious championship leader Vettel back in eighth place.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Vettel -- 54 points<br />Hamilton -- 45 points<br />Bottas -- 40 points
Drivers' title race after round 3 —
Vettel -- 54 points
Hamilton -- 45 points
Bottas -- 40 points
Charles Coates/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton was the chief beneficiary of a late puncture suffered by his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas as he clinched his first win of the season at April's action-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Baku, Azerbaijan -- Red Bull drivers shockingly crash as Hamilton triumphs —
Lewis Hamilton was the chief beneficiary of a late puncture suffered by his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas as he clinched his first win of the season at April's action-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 70 points<br />Vettel -- 66 points <br />Raikkonen -- 48 points<br />
Drivers' title race after round 4 —
Hamilton -- 70 points
Vettel -- 66 points
Raikkonen -- 48 points
GREG BAKER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
After his unlikely victory in Azerbaijan, it was a second straight win for Hamilton as he bids for a fifth world championship -- and it could not have been more comfortable.
Barcelona, Spain -- Lewis Hamilton leads Mercedes one-two —
After his unlikely victory in Azerbaijan, it was a second straight win for Hamilton as he bids for a fifth world championship -- and it could not have been more comfortable.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 95 points<br />Vettel -- 78 points<br />Bottas -- 57 points
Drivers' title race after round 5 —
Hamilton -- 95 points
Vettel -- 78 points
Bottas -- 57 points
Charles Coates/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Ricciardo nursed his ailing Red Bull to a remarkable victory on the streets of Monte Carlo and with it made up for his 2016 heartbreak on the same circuit.
Monaco -- Redemption for Ricciardo —
Ricciardo nursed his ailing Red Bull to a remarkable victory on the streets of Monte Carlo and with it made up for his 2016 heartbreak on the same circuit.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 110 points<br />Vettel -- 96 points<br />Ricciardo -- 72 points
Drivers' title race after round 6 —
Hamilton -- 110 points
Vettel -- 96 points
Ricciardo -- 72 points
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Sebastian Vettel's 50th career victory saw him replace Lewis Hamilton at the top of the championship standings to cap an emotional day for the Ferrari team.
Canada -- Vettel wins to take title initiative —
Sebastian Vettel's 50th career victory saw him replace Lewis Hamilton at the top of the championship standings to cap an emotional day for the Ferrari team.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Vettel -- 121 points<br />Hamilton -- 120 points<br />Bottas -- 86 points
Drivers' title race after round 7 —
Vettel -- 121 points
Hamilton -- 120 points
Bottas -- 86 points
Charles Coates/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Briton Lewis Hamilton won the first French Grand Prix since 2008.<br />The Mercedes driver avoided the worst of a dramatic start that saw title rival Sebastian Vettel clip Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers sustained damage in the collision, forcing them to pit early them and fall to the back of the grid.
France -- Hamilton back in the groove —
Briton Lewis Hamilton won the first French Grand Prix since 2008.
The Mercedes driver avoided the worst of a dramatic start that saw title rival Sebastian Vettel clip Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers sustained damage in the collision, forcing them to pit early them and fall to the back of the grid.
GERARD JULIEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 145 points<br />Vettel -- 131 points<br />Ricciardo -- 96 points
Drivers' title race after round 8 —
Hamilton -- 145 points
Vettel -- 131 points
Ricciardo -- 96 points
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix as hitherto championship leader Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, were forced to retire.
Austria -- Verstappen wins after Mercedes meltdown —
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix as hitherto championship leader Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, were forced to retire.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Vettel - 146 points<br />Hamilton - 145 points<br />Raikkonen - 101 points
Drivers' title race after round 9 —
Vettel - 146 points
Hamilton - 145 points
Raikkonen - 101 points
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Home favorite Lewis Hamilton was denied a sixth victory at the British Grand Prix as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel took control of the championship at Silverstone
Britain -- Vettel wins despite Hamilton fightback —
Home favorite Lewis Hamilton was denied a sixth victory at the British Grand Prix as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel took control of the championship at Silverstone
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Vettel - 171Hamilton - 163Raikkonen - 116
Drivers' title race after round 10 —
Vettel - 171Hamilton - 163Raikkonen - 116
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hamilton fought back from 14th on the grid to claim an astonishing victory as Vettel crashed out at Hockenheim.
Germany -- Advantage Hamilton as Vettel crashes out —
Hamilton fought back from 14th on the grid to claim an astonishing victory as Vettel crashed out at Hockenheim.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton - 188<br />Vettel - 171<br />Raikkonen - 131
Drivers' title race after round 11 —
Hamilton - 188
Vettel - 171
Raikkonen - 131
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton went into F1's summer break with a season-high 24-point advantage in the title race over Vettel after winning at the Hungaroring.
Hungary -- Hamilton extends title lead with 'beautiful' win —
Hamilton went into F1's summer break with a season-high 24-point advantage in the title race over Vettel after winning at the Hungaroring.
Laszlo Balogh/AP
Hamilton -- 213 points<br />Vettel -- 189 points<br />Raikkonen -- 146 points
Drivers' title race after round 11 —
Hamilton -- 213 points
Vettel -- 189 points
Raikkonen -- 146 points
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Fernando Alonso's car was launched over the top of Charles Leclerc on the opening corner of the Belgian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel went on to win at Spa to cut Lewis Hamilton's lead at the top of the Driver Standings to 17 points.
Belgium -- Vettel wins after spectacular crash —
Fernando Alonso's car was launched over the top of Charles Leclerc on the opening corner of the Belgian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel went on to win at Spa to cut Lewis Hamilton's lead at the top of the Driver Standings to 17 points.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 231Vettel -- 214Raikkonen - 146
Drivers' title race after round 12 —
Hamilton -- 231Vettel -- 214Raikkonen - 146
Dan Mullan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Ferrari's sea of fans -- the 'Tifosi' -- hold up a flag making fun of Lewis Hamilton, but he has the last laugh, winning the Italian Grand Prix for the fifth time
Ferrari's sea of fans -- the 'Tifosi' -- hold up a flag making fun of Lewis Hamilton, but he has the last laugh, winning the Italian Grand Prix for the fifth time
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The story of the 2018 F1 season so far
CNN  — 

The Formula One season is the longest it has ever been.

In 2018, for the second time in three years, drivers and teams have competed over the course of a 21-race season, spending more time away from families and homes.

Now, with the announcement of a Vietnamese Grand Prix being added to the calendar from 2020, Lewis Hamilton has expressed his concern that the season is becoming unbearably long.

READ: Rain and conspiracy theories – Reliving Lewis Hamilton’s most dramatic F1 win

READ: Hanoi to host new Formula One grand prix

“I am not going to be here if it gets to 25 races, that’s for sure,” Hamilton told reporters.

“It already feels like we are on race 25 this year, so I don’t think that’s a good thing. I think 18 was probably the best back in the day.”

Despite next year also featuring 21 races, the schedule in 2019 means the F1 calendar will run into December for the first time in over 50 years.

- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/181106112722-hamilton-celebrates-2008.jpg?q=x_3,y_143,h_1844,w_3277,c_crop/h_540,w_960" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/181106112722-hamilton-celebrates-2008.jpg?q=x_3,y_143,h_1844,w_3277,c_crop/h_540,w_960" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html="" data-byline-html="
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Updated 7:51 AM EST, Fri November 9, 2018
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British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton waves his national flag to celebrate after winning the F-1 World Championship on November 2, 2008, at Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hamilton was crowned Formula One champion after finishing fifth in the Brazil Grand Prix. AFP PHOTO / ANTONIO SCORZA (Photo credit should read ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP/Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton reflects on first world title
02:52 - Source: CNN

Liberty Media, the company that has owned Formula One since January 2017, has often expressed its hopes of expanding the season further.

“I’m someone who really loves racing but the season is long,” Hamilton said. “It’s a lot of commitment for all of us and a lot of time away from families, and the seasons are getting longer and the off time is getting shorter.

“All I can do is speak is for myself. The turnaround is so short, you start preparing for your next season often as soon as the season is done.

“Getting your mind turned. That’s very difficult. Then you have to find a way of switching off and recovering at the same time.”

Hamilton wrapped up his fifth world title in Mexico a fortnight ago but the constructors’ championship is still to be decided.

Ferrari must better Mercedes’ score in Brazil this weekend by 13 points or more if they want the title race to go to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.