Lewis is a global icon – celebrate him while you still can
Briton is a true great but I doubt he will be around long enough to match Schumacher’s record
Afourth world title elevates Lewis Hamilton, without question, to a place among the true greats of Formula One. He connects at an another level, beyond just the fans of this sport. He is a global icon.
He might not have the Instagram or Twitter following of Cristiano Ronaldo, but his achievements are truly exceptional. Everyone, even those who have been reluctant to declare their support for Lewis, should be able to see that now.
Go back through some of his other seasons and there have been moments where he has not quite turned up, has not quite performed. You have thought, “Where is he at?” But in 2017 his hunger, determination and focus on delivering have seemed as strong as ever. In Mercedes, he has a team who give him space, and he gives back to them.
The dynamic with Valtteri Bottas is also so much smoother than it was during all the jousting with Nico Rosberg. This has played its part in lifting him up. Internal friction is energy, and anything that takes time and focus away from the driver equates to lost energy. Lewis is adept now at not becoming involved in politics, not saying anything too controversial.
Valtteri, as his team-mate, has been able to witness a masterclass. Rather like learning how to ride a bike again, Lewis has rediscovered what it means to be fast and consistent – qualities he can somehow sustain, despite his incessant travelling.
When I was driving, I would need more down-time – partly because I did not have his abundance of raw talent, but also because I was up against someone especially fast, like him, in Mika Hakkinen at Mclaren.
While Mika would head off to Monaco for a weekend, I would like to get any testing or promotion out of the way and then have my own time, to zone myself into the grand prix. Lewis is much more like Mika used to be, in that he enjoys being positively distracted.
Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles is about the only record still in front of him. It is possible Lewis matches or even beats it, but improbable given the nature of modern F1. He is committed to Mercedes, and I cannot see him going anywhere else.
There are four years until the next major change in regulations, each of them taking him a step closer to retirement. Will Lewis
Lewis started young and he will start to burn out. All the other obligations become tiresome
still be here in 2021? If Mercedes have a dip, it is unlikely that he would stay.
When Michael won seven, it was an exceptional run, but one accomplished in a different time and set of circumstances. Arguably there has been greater competition for Lewis over this period, because of the pedigree of his team-mates.
He is adamant he will not still be in the sport aged 40, and no wonder. Lewis started young, and he will start to burn out mentally before then. It is not about losing the pleasure of driving – it is all the other obligations that start to become tiresome. He might also calculate that the lifestyle to which he has grown accustomed could be maintained with his current investments. All that considered, I am not convinced he will even be in F1 in three or four years’ time.