Why you should enjoy Hamilton in F1 while you can
“I’m 37, Jeez! I’ve still got a bit to go.” Lewis Hamilton was more polite than he might have been when it was put to him that he’ll be well into his forties if he wishes to continue racing against Max Verstappen, who now has a contract at Red Bull until the end of 2028.
But Hamilton dismissed that prospect, quickly adding: “I don’t plan on being here close to that age. Hopefully I have some other fun things to get on with.” And that’s true. Through his activism and participation in the fashion and music industries most notably, Hamilton appreciates more than many that life goes on beyond Formula 1.
A 56-day absence from social media following the deeply controversial end to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix came because the race was “the last thing I really wanted to talk to anyone about”. But while Hamilton was silent, the immensely partisan world of Twitter went above and beyond to take aim at the two drivers involved in a title fight for the ages.
Hamilton has long faced criticism for how he comes across in the media, for ‘mixing sports and politics’ and so on. He’s an immensely decorated but also divisive figure. While he’s seemingly not ready to embrace his approaching forties any time soon, now that he’s entering his 16th season as a grand prix driver, there’s no escaping that he’s in his F1 twilight. Should he not extend his current contract with Mercedes, the 2023 campaign will be his last.
It’s thanks to his disparate interests outside of F1 that Hamilton has the biggest social media following and the most global recognition in the sport. But it’s also why he’s unlikely to hang around when he feels his time to leave has come. A cocommentary role seems completely out of the question. Even a paid ambassadorial position within the remit of F1 or an occasional guest appearance on the grid is unlikely. When Hamilton leaves motorsport,
“He’s unlikely to hang around. When Hamilton leaves motorsport, it might well be for good”
it might well be for good.
If the driver we all expect turns up in 2022, one who has the bit between his teeth having felt wronged, it could be the best display from Hamilton to date. But knowing how finite his GP tenure might be, it’s time to sit back and objectively consider his prowess behind the wheel rather than get bogged down in a bitter rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen that plays out between fans – both sets as bad as the other – more viciously than it does between the two drivers.