After years of dominating F1, Lewis Hamilton concluded 2023 without a single win to his name for the second consecutive season. Yet his unwavering passion for Formula 1 and his insatiable hunger for success remain intact.
Hamilton’s winless streak last year was rooted once again in Mercedes’ inability to take the fight to Red Bull Racing despite the team’s tireless efforts.
This was a harsh reality for a driver who was accustomed to fighting for victory every Sunday, and it undoubtedly could have taken its toll on Hamilton’s morale.
But despite the disappointments and shortfall, and with nothing to prove, the seven-time world champion is pressing on. So what is spurring his motivation?
“It's the dream of standing on the top step, seeing your team,” Hamilton says.
“One of the most amazing things is being able to look back and having the flag of the nation rising behind you, and seeing the team.”
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Hamilton has enjoyed such moments of collective glory 103 times in his career in F1. But the euphoric feeling never subsides and continues to act as a powerful incentive for the Briton.
“I remember the first win I had with this team. I have a particular picture of 2015 in Australia with the [team] down there in tears – it was just amazing to be a part of that.
“The power of that is a huge part of the drive. Winning the world championship is a huge part of the drive.”
But Hamilton also referred to another reason supporting his motivation.
“Continuing to build with the team on the impact work we're doing, and continuing to push with the team with Mission 44.
“I don't know how far that can go and I'm trying to expand it, and that means I've got to raise more money.”
As Mercedes strives to rebound, the team’s 2024 campaign will prove pivotal, not only for the Brackley squad but also for Hamilton.
But if Mercedes holds up its end of the bargain, team boss Toto Wolff has no doubt that Hamilton can fight for his record eighth world championship.
“If we’re able to give him a car, then he would be fighting for a World Championship, I have no doubt,” Wolff commented after F1’s 2023 season finale in Abu Dhabi last November.
©Mercedes
“It’s clear that when you have a Formula 1 car like we have now, you’re never at ease with it – you have good weekends and bad weekends.
“In the end, every time where we’ve seen that Lewis has someone in his target in front of him, and it was about winning the race, then the real Lewis comes alive, and I think we just need to give him that [opportunity].”
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