Hamilton shows admirable ability and energy
marvel at Lewis Hamilton’s energy. He came to Silverstone amid a certain negativity, stirred by his no- show at the Formula One Live event in London, but he did everything he needed to do and more. He got through his programme, drove superbly in qualifying, showed Nigel Mansellesque power, won the grand prix, and still found time to celebrate in the fan zone.
All that takes time and effort. After a grand prix, I would perform all the necessary duties, but I did what I could just to be me again. As a driver post- race, it is quite tiring being what somebody else wants you to be, rather than who you are. Lewis, though, handles all that exceptionally well.
Lewis might be an expat, but I would not for one moment challenge his Britishness or his attachment to where he has been brought up. His family is linked to Grenada, but he is undoubtedly a God Save the Queen type of guy. He is an international representative of Britain, one of the world’s most recognisable sports stars, and he is not showing any signs of slowing — whether on the track, his ability to travel, engage with people, or revel in his successes.
Away from the track, Lewis has discovered a formula that works for him, despite all the globe- trotting it involves. He has earned the right, not just through his achievements on the track but financially, to ride the magic carpet of life.
Not many people have their own aircraft, not many have a helicopter to take them in and out of race venues. He is not in a relationship, as far as I know, he does not have children. He is in the position to fire up the plane, jump on it and head wherever he likes. It is a cost of living that he is prepared to engage with, because it enables him to enjoy his life. I am not going to criticise anyone for that, when there is no evidence it detracts from what he does behind the wheel.
He claims that he is driving better than ever, and I am inclined to agree.
In his debut season in 2007, he finished level on points with Fernando Alonso, his McLaren teammate, so he has always had great speed. But he now has the maturity to go alongside that. He is a much more rounded, capable character. Personally, I feel your early 30s is your peak time as a racing driver. It is not just about your capacity to drive quickly, but about life experience and knowledge. You make better decisions that way.
With each race that passes, we are seeing more records broken. Last weekend, Lewis has elevated himself to the company of Jim Clark and Alain Prost with his fifth British Grand Prix victory, but many of Michael Schumacher’s records are already in his sights. He is only one away from equalling the number of pole positions, with 68, but I would like to think that he could also one day reach Michael’s mark, once considered unassailable, of 91 wins.
Every generation should aspire to be stronger and more distinguished than the last. Not to take anything away from Michael’s great legacy, but if Lewis does hit 92, we should be celebrating the fact that we were around to watch him compete. Some will never look beyond Ayrton Senna, Clark and the other icons of history, but life is not about living in the past.
For now, we should, like Lewis, be striving to be better.