Hamilton's need for speed... or he could soon be on his bike

Mercedes upgrades vital to decision over his future with Briton in the final season of deal

BRAD PITT is making Lewis Hamilton feel youthful.

At 59, the American will be the star of the Hollywood movie currently being made about Formula One — as a washed-up driver returning to the grid for one final shot.

And F1 believe the project, which is being co-led by Hamilton and Pitt, will help catapult the sport’s current success well beyond the Drive to Survive high it is enjoying.

Hamilton said having Pitt get behind the wheel of an F1 car — albeit for the silver screen — meant he was now “the third oldest driver” on the grid.

Far from being washed up himself , there are st i l l constant question marks over Hamilton. He is now aged 38, has achieved more than anyone in the sport’s history, is in a car that looks a long way off from being a race winner and does not have a contract beyond this season.

So, what next? Miami this weekend will be another race in which Mercedes will, most likely, start slowly and gradually improve their pace but only end up vying with Ferrari and Aston Martin in the scrap for third behind the two Red Bulls.