Lewis: I’m a fighter ...even if I did black out in one
COUNTDOWN TO AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX NEXT WEEKEND
WHEN Lewis Hamilton said he just wanted “to go home” after a demoralising Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Formula One paddock wondered if his motivation was on the wane.
But the seven-times world champion has refused time off and instead spent days at the Mercedes F1 headquarters, helping find a solution to the team’s early-season troubles.
And Mercedes believe Hamilton is as motivated as he has ever been to meet the surprising challenges of 2022.
“I have been back at the factory for the last two days,” said Hamilton. “That’s a huge part of my life. Going to the different departments and seeing all the workings in the background is the most fascinating part, particularly at the beginning of the year.”
Before heading off to
Melbourne for next weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton found time to catch up with motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi.
And the pair, promoting a new watch from their sponsors IWC, had a fascinating chat about life in the fast lane, with Hamilton revealing his secret passion for two wheels.
“I actually have a superbike at home and I like to go out on it at the end of the year,” said Hamilton. “I wanted to race bikes as a kid, but my dad thought four wheels were safer!” And Hamilton, 37,
admits he has always had a thirst for speed.
“I’ve been in a fighter jet and even that, for example, felt natural,” he said. “I think that’s just the way we are wired. I always dreamed of what it would be like to be a fighter pilot.”
It might have felt natural, but it still didn’t stop Hamilton experiencing one of his hairiest moments.
He added: “The ‘g’ (g-force) you are pulling and the manoeuvres you can do are amazing. The blood rushes from your brain down into your legs. That’s why the pilots have those ‘g’ suits.
“When I’ve been up in the plane I’ve blacked out.
“I didn’t have a ‘g’ suit on and they told me a breathing exercise I should do, but I stopped doing it because I was thinking like, ‘This is easy’. And then he turned and I just blacked out completely. That was unique.”
Hamilton was clearly relaxed as he chatted with Rossi, who makes his debut in an Audi car in the GT World Challenge at Imola this weekend. And Hamilton revealed his ‘geekiness’ extends to stargazing.
He admitted: “I’m very much into space and NASA and just seeing the new James
Webb telescope. I love that sort of stuff.”
Unfortunately for Hamilton, he probably needs the James Webb telescope to get a glimpse of the Red Bull and Ferrari drivers who are miles ahead of Mercedes this year.
Although new equipment is expected for next Sunday’s race, team boss Toto Wolff admits the Silver Arrows are currently bystanders.
He said: “We were right in the middle of those fun games in the front and, talking as an F1 stakeholder and benefitting from a great show, that is really spectacular.
“But on the other side, it is extremely painful to not be a part of those fun games... and by quite a chunk of lap-time deficit. We are not going to rest until we are back in the mix. But it’s no fun at all. It’s an exercise in humility.”
I always dreamed of what it would be like to be a fighter pilot