Lewis Hamilton "questions about the exit of Formula 1" – towards Formula E

F1 star Lewis Hamilton revealed that he was considering moving to Formula E.

The five-time Formula 1 World Champion has said that the all-electric Formula E – which his Mercedes team will join next year – is the "future" of motor sport.

Hamilton is under contract with Mercedes until the end of the 2020 season, but he is considering all the options available to him when leaving Formula One.

The 34-year-old F1 champion spoke of his future at an event at Silverstone to mark the 125th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz in motorsport.

"It's a subject I've sort of debated on – until now, it still concerned Formula One," said Hamilton in quotes reported by The Sun.

"Since I've been running since the age of eight, I'm going to have tremendous withdrawal symptoms, as all drivers have when they stop running, when Formula 1 stops for me.

Hamilton suggested that he could follow his English compatriot Gary Paffett in Formula E.

"In fact, I grew up around the same time as Gary Paffett.

"He is a little older than me and he is now racing in Formula E and that will be the future.

"So, who knows, in the future maybe this is an area where I can use my skills, but as you get older, it's harder and harder to find the motivation to stay focused and you must find something you like.

"I'm sure I'll always love cars, and for now I'll try to stay in Formula One, as long as I stay focused and fit, I'll continue to drive as best I can."

Hamilton also hinted that he could follow the likes of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen by adopting other forms of motor sport.

"There is something else to do," he said.

"I suppose there are other series that I could do.

"Fernando Alonso is doing Indycar and you see Kimi Raikkonen always pushing the limits."

Hamilton won the opening Grand Prix of the 2019 season in Bahrain last month as F1 travel to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix next weekend.