Interview
Hamilton: "I refuse to let this moment define my career"
Lewis Hamilton was literally defeated and, after a long radio silence over the winter, he looks to bounce back. Hamilton will reappear at the start of the F1 season in 2022 and will not look back.
Hamilton took time to reflect
The 37-year-old Briton hopes to come back stronger than before this season. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff already noted within the team in recent weeks that the driver is more determined than ever. His defeat against Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi has made him doubt the sport, but fortunately Hamilton is back to fight the Dutchman again (if the cars allow it).
Speaking to GPblog.com and others, Hamilton talks about the mental blow he suffered in Abu Dhabi. The Mercedes driver lost the 2021 title in the last lap; Verstappen overtook him after a controversial decision by the race control regarding the safety car situation. The radio silence surrounding the seven-time world champion was a moment to catch his breath and forget about last season.
Hamilton says: "Of course at the end of the season you think whether you are ready to put so much time and effort into a world title. I think people quickly underestimate that. There's so much happening around it. It's not just showing up and driving that car. The question is whether you want to put the time in and whether you believe you can keep going on the road you're on."
Hamilton lost faith in the system
The Mercedes driver says every year at the beginning of the season that it is important to come to the start line stronger than the season before. That way he often surprises himself, and each new title is worth more and more to him. The fact that his eighth title was not in the cards made him waver for a while. Really quitting his F1 career was not an option, but his faith in the sport had taken a hit.
"There was a moment when I had lost my faith in the system, but I am a determined person. I often think to myself that although moments like this can define someone's career, that I refuse to let this moment define my career. I focus on being my best self to come back stronger."
