The seven-time world champion told the BBC: “The moment always comes when you ask yourself whether the problem is you or the car. But I’m sure we’ll get where we need to get because now we have a north star”
Forty-five Grands Prix without winning is an infinite number for those who have triumphed 103 volte in F1. A Lewis Hamilton victory has been missing since GP d’Arabia Saudita 2021, penultimate round of the world championship. Then the defeat amidst the controversy against Max Verstappen and the two-year fast. This period has heightened uncertainties and fears, as the seven-time world champion admitted in an interview with Bbc. Hamilton talks about his weaknesses, but raises the challenge again Red Bull in 2024, trusting in the recovery of Mercedes.
fatigue
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A human and fragile Lewis. This is how he appears as he remembers 2023: “When you experience difficult seasons like this, the moment always comes when you ask yourself: ‘Is the problem me or is it the car? Do you still have a chance? Is it over?’. I’m human, I miss that magic , when I am one with the car, when that extraordinary spark strikes.” After all, 2023 did not start under a good star: “The sensations were the same as a year before. I had really high expectations, but I already understood in Bahrain (first weekend of the season ed.) that it would be a long year”. Hamilton continues: “We were on the wrong path and there was frustration. I had asked for certain changes that had not been made. Nobody knew exactly where the problem was or how to solve it. The experience of 2022, however, helped me to be more optimistic I’m sure we’ll get where we need to get to because now we have a North Star. That hasn’t happened to us in two years. But getting there won’t be a straight line.”
attack at max
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To return to winning, however, you need to beat Verstappen. And the version of the Dutchman on Red Bull admired in 2023 does not seem to have any weaknesses: “Looking at Max’s lap times and some of his data, you can see that he is often relaxed. I don’t think he sweated much during the year.” A feeling experienced as a rival in the United States GP: “When I was chasing him in Austin, he simply seemed in control. It means he is in an optimal position. He and Red Bull did an extraordinary job, they deserve these results.”
projects
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Hamilton’s gaze goes beyond F1: “Winning the World Championship is a motivation that pushes me to move forward. But there is also the desire to continue building something with the team, continuing the work of the Mission 44 foundation. And then organizing a Grand Prix in Africa would be great.” Lewis still feels encouraged to continue: “At a certain point I wouldn’t have imagined continuing, the seasons are long, exhausting, I’ve been living them for 16 years now. It’s not easy to stay at the top, there’s a lot of pressure. I’m always under scrutiny. and also at a time in my life where I can’t win. I’ve asked myself if I really want to continue, but I still love riding – I have the same enthusiasm as when I started.” Hamilton is still hungry for success.
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