Hamilton balks at early world title: 'You also miss the emotion'

Lewis Hamilton on Sunday congratulated Max Verstappen on his world title on several occasions. However, the British driver remains annoyed that this season's world championship has been decided several races before the end, he told the NOS.

Because of his past, the seven-time world champion knows better than anyone what it is like to be sure of the world title early in the racing year. Although Hamilton always enjoyed the celebrations that took place, he knows that for the fans it is most enjoyable when there is excitement until the end of the year.

"I've experienced it myself a few times, for example in Mexico," Hamilton states. "For an athlete, that's great. In the end, that's what you do it all for, but for the fans it's a bit of a shame that the battle has been decided so quickly this year. You also miss the emotion. It's just less spectacular."

Hamilton hopes for more excitement in 2023

In the interview, Hamilton points to the conclusion of the season in 2008 when the Briton took his first career world title in Brazil. "Let's hope it will be a bit more exciting again next year," finished Hamilton, who had to settle for fifth place himself in the Japanese Grand Prix.