Lewis Hamilton is currently a 7 time Formula One world champion. He has graced the world of F1 since 2007. He burst onto the scene with one of the most impressive rookie seasons on record. Hamilton came agonisingly close to winning the title in his first season.
Hamilton is revered around the world but also attracts many critics. In recent years Hamilton hasn’t been afraid to voice his opinions on equality and giving those less privilege a chance in life especially in the world of F1.
Despite critics Hamilton continues to use his voice as a platform. But even into his second decade of racing Hamilton is still an incredible talent on track and a colourful figure off it. This article looks into why we should appreciate Lewis Hamilton whilst he is still in the sport.
Hamilton secures 2007 Mclaren seat
In the 2006 season Mclaren’s drivers were Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya. There were murmurings that season of a highly talented rookie in Mclaren’s ranks would be going the team. Eventually towards the end of the season the announcement came. it was Lewis Hamilton who was going to be driving in his first F1 season. Alongside him would be the eventual 2006 F1 champion Fernando Alonso.
What was so exciting about Hamilton that season was his fearlessness. Not only was he competing with his two time world championship team mate, he was beating him. Eventually Hamilton missed out on becoming champion that season to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen by one point. He came second in the championship.
This was astonishing for a rookie in his debut season and one in which he had broken many a record. Not only did that season demonstrate Hamilton’s prodigious talent it also displayed his mental strength. There were contentious moments with his team mate Alonso which led to rising tensions. These occurrences happened due to Hamilton’s ability and mindset, he was not there to play second fiddle. Hamilton felt he was in the same class as Alonso even as a debutant.
The fall out of that season led to Alonso leaving the Mclaren team that season. Inter team dynamics and the relationship with Hamilton were a result. Here was a world champion at the time, being upstaged by a rookie team mate. This is some humble by Alonso had to eat. However this demonstrated a ruthlessness and a will to win by Hamilton that is comparable to his idol Ayrton Senna. Hamilton announced himself as a winner and wasn’t to be taken lightly.
Maiden Championship win for Lewis Hamilton
It was almost inevitable, at the end of the 2008 season Hamilton was crowned Champion for the first time. Fortune that day was on Hamilton’s side. On the final corner Hamilton took Timo Clock to secure 5th place. This was enough to deny Filipe Massa the title in front of his home crowd. This was Hamiltons first and last championship win with Mclaren.
Lewis departs Mclaren, Surprise Move to Mercedes
He would then go on to win another 6 in the Turbo hybrid era with Mercedes, following a shock move to the silver arrows in 2013. Hamilton replaced the 7 time champion and legend Michael Schumacher, fitting.
The decision to join Mercedes is an underrated one. Of course with hindsight after dominating the turbo hybrid it wouldn’t take a genus to see it was the right decision. But at that time it still would have taken a brave and calculated decision by Hamilton and his team. Mercedes Came 5th in the overall constructors standings in 2012. Mclaren were third with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Without a championship since 2008 and Mercedes not quite near the front this was a huge risk for Hamilton however frustrations were brewing with a Mclaren team that were not producing championship winning cars.
Lewis Hamilton dominates the Turbo Hybrid era
The domination of the turbo hybrid era demonstrated the talent that Hamilton truly possessed. Once Hamilton hangs up his helmet it’s likely to get the credit it actually deserves. Rosberg for the most part was no match aside from his one and only title winning season. For Bottas Hamilton was simply on another planet. The biggest blemish for Hamilton was the controversial ending to the 2021 season. Hamilton lost out in the final race and on the final lap due to a safety car and race director intervention. Verstappen went on to win his first tittle in dramatic fashion.
There were non F1 fans who tuned in for the first time to watch the drama unfold. Tensions were high however the grace in which Hamilton congratulated Verstappen at the end shouldn’t go unnoticed. That season the duel was incredibly intense and highlighted the brewing rivalry between the pair. Often it seemed Verstappen would cross limits but Hamilton would not back down and showed his own aggression throughout the duel.
I believe this was another moment where Hamilton and his brand brought another army of once non F1 fans converting to arm chair fans. Hamilton has previously been acknowledged as being one of the reasons F1 has grown in significant popularity. Despite the knives having been out for Hamilton in the media and by some sceptics in the past F1 should be thankful that he still remains in the sport. It feels that once Hamilton leaves the F1 stage the world of F1 may have lost it’s last true mega star.