Hamilton must rebuild confidence: 'Didn't see it coming'

Lewis Hamilton has had a grueling season. The Briton fought for the world title in 2021 together with Max Verstappen, a battle that went on until the last Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Hamilton was left with a bad taste in his mouth at the end of the season, but the driver is now trying to let go of that as much as possible.

Hamilton was shocked when Nicholas Latifi drove into the wall at the end of the race in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen decided to change tyres at lightning speed and managed to overtake his opponent, who was at the front for almost the entire race, and thus take the world title.

Still doubts with Hamilton

The seven-time world champion then didn't let us hear from him again for two months, until this week. During the car presentation, Hamilton was just there to look ahead to the new season. With the news that Michael Masi was leaving as race director at the FIA, he was clearly pleased, although he doubts it will be enough.

"Trust can be lost in the blink of an eye, to earn trust it’s something that is built over a long period of time," Hamilton informed GPblog and others in an online pres conference. "Whilst I didn’t see that coming, as I said the announcement yesterday, is perhaps the first step of that but it doesn’t change anything just yet. We have to see the action, and I think it will take some time. I’m not focused on that area at the moment, just putting every ounce of my energy and time into making sure I’m the best you’ve ever seen."

Among other things, Hamilton is curious about the report that comes out in mid-March. "I’m excited to see the results of that report, hopefully everyone will see it and have a better understanding of everything. Ultimately, it’s down to understanding where we’ve been so we can move forward in a positive light."

Hamilton can distinguish himself in 2022

The Mercedes driver faces another important season. Still with his seven world titles he is on a par with Michael Schumacher. If he manages to beat his competition this year then he will definitively be the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1.