Hamilton's Hunger for Victory: The Driving Force Behind His F1 Legacy
Jul.31 - Lewis Hamilton is continuing to insist that his "plan" is to still be a Mercedes driver in 2024.
However, although team boss Toto Wolff says the pair have "emotionally" agreed a new deal, a signature is not yet on paper.
"I think it's definitely an emotional rollercoaster on both sides," seven time world champion Hamilton, 38, told the Belgian broadcaster RTBF at Spa Francorchamps.
Hamilton says he and Wolff are simply negotiating hard.
"He has his personal side but he's also a business man," the British driver said.
"It's an ongoing process and no one can understand the full complexity of the situation. I'm going in depth with my contracts now. But I plan to be here.
"I have a lot of work to do with this team."
Amid Red Bull and Max Verstappen's utter dominance, there have been glimmers of hope that Mercedes is finally coming to understand the new 'ground effect' era.
But a new upgrade package at Spa reunited Hamilton and George Russell with the dreaded 'porpoising'.
"No, they don't know why," Hamilton said when asked if Mercedes understands why the phenomenon suddenly returned. "It's obviously a concern."
But from a personal point of view, Hamilton insists that he still has what it takes to stay in Formula 1 with full motivation.
"I'm still very hungry," he said.
"I don't know if it's a curse or a blessing that I'm so competitive in everything I do. I was talking to my dad about it the other day and we said how crazy it is that the feeling of losing is still exactly the same as it has ever been.
"But I'm so grateful that I still have that passion and love for what I do after all these years - sixteen years in this sport. That's why I'm still here."
Verstappen admitted at the weekend that, while his current dominance may be boring to outsiders, he is personally enjoying winning races with a big margin.
Hamilton had a long period of similar dominance, but he insists it is "not necessarily easier" when a driver's rivals are so far behind.
"It's a place where you feel alone," he said. "In our sport, there is usually a gap but it's not often a gap like Max's.
"But I remember that when I was in that position, of course it's exciting to win races, but ultimately you want to have more competition because it sometimes feels empty when you're so far ahead, even if that's always the goal.
"So I would say that I enjoy racing a lot more than I did then, because I'm racing in the pack. Obviously the goal is to get where he is, but for the sport the goal should be to have closer racing."
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Well, strutting around like a peacock might not be such a good idea. LH and MB haven’t been burning up the track the past two years. Maybe talking less and doing more simulator time may work better. Either sign the contract or move on to greener pastures but these daily reports are tedious. It appears that MB isn’t eager to spend that kind of money on a once was G.O.A.T. Even at the top if his game, LH never looked as good at Verstappen even on his best day.
Tedious? Sir Lewis like it or not is a world famous sporting celebrity with millions of fans who like you hang on his every word and for the most part he is responding to what must be tedious questions from the press always patiently and politely.
What’s you’re excuse for being tedious? Have you no interest in F1 beyond bad mouthing Hamilton?
You may choose not to notice that he involves himself heavily in good causes and according to the Sunday times is one of the Uk’s Biggest donators to charity.
Winge on Susan if it keeps you happy, Lewis almost certainly has no idea you exist and would’nt care if he did.
Yeah the media ,cause there always honest lololol, the ships sinking but the captain ignores it till its to late
Blo, you should look in the mirror!
This is not the CCP. People are allowed to express their own views and opinions in our society without people like you ranting and raving on because you don't agree with what they say.
Have you ever heard the term "Freedom of speech"?
Although I suppose your ravings are part of that freedom.
See you're living up to up name.
Freedom of speech, yes, freedom to insult and lie, No.
Did you actually read what I wrote?
I actually said she was the one that was tedious but to winge on if it keeps her happy.
Freedom of speech???
"Negotiating hard" is code for "We're moving the comma's around." I have to agree with Susan - the daily up-dates on the glacial progress of the contract talks is The Dame's way of staying in the press. It smacks of already knowing the unfavourable outcome as some speculate - 1 year + 1 option or alternately, dragging talks out to the end of 2023 and giving The Dame a "Nico" (sort of like a noogie, but worse).
In the end, Dame Lucille will finally exit stage-left, and the rest of us can endure the race commentary by Crusty and Blunder sans endless fawning drivel about his less than stellar performance.
Lord, Hear our Prayers.
Correct, but Hamgirls just cant see it
I enjoy racing as a sport, but it is only a sport. Lives aren’t changed, there is still world hunger, disease, and wars. Unfortunately, Lewis is believing his own articles. He performed very well for seven years, paid handsomely for those seven years, but those days are in the past. Hanging on to the past is sad. He needs to move on with his charities, cause du jour and have a nice live after F1.
Stop with the title. It means nothing in the real world. The Netherlands gave Max a title that is higher in the pecking order of titles which also is meaningless but he doesn’t use it. Get my drift.
On a sprint race Hannah says yeah it doesn't really matter its only a couple of points, then she goes for fastest lap --- for 1 point??, done solely to desparately try and impress the Bod hes worth it, I've never seen Torger look so depressed after a race, I suspect the Bod have rejected Lauras demands and hes now stuck with a right pain in the Arse, far , far away from we don't make mistakes, we are the best team, the best engineers, mmmm that ones come back to bite them lol,
If Torger and his Daughter had been a bit less up themselves through there winning times , the public might not feel as they , with Max hes a different creature , his Dad will keep him in check, the hills are alive with the sound of Nicoooo...
Susan and ShoddyPost, as leaders of the KKK, are having a field day with this article
Blo, hasn't a clue just like Peggy-Lou answering the media hahaha , except for when she wouldn't answer the media recently that is, So Blo offers no resistance and is past it, reminds me of the Dame, world famous celeb , give me a break, make the most of this Blo , it'll soon be toast and yesterdays news.
I don’t give a damm, just like winding you load of wingers up. What will you and Susan do?
You clearly have an attitude problem, Blo, for which you need to seek professional help. Or maybe you are on an overdose of recreational drugs!
Thank you for your concern Franji . I’ll take the appropriate action.
Incidentally just made some Sicilian almond and lemon biscuits, sweet and soft in the middle, crunchy on the outside with a sharp lemon finish just like me.😘
Go back to having a life. Btw, it will take a lot more than this to wind me up, Blo, I surround myself with adults who can have adult conversations.
I imagine you do Susan.
Let’s just agree to disagree.