The past two seasons have been tough to take for Lewis Hamilton, as the Mercedes driver has had to deal with heartbreak after heartbreak.
The 2021 season finale saw the Brit travel to Abu Dhabi level on points with his championship rival Max Verstappen, only to miss out on the title in very controversial circumstances on the final lap of the race.
Hamilton was then forced to drive an uncompetitive W13 in 2022 as Mercedes struggled under the new regulations, resulting in him limping to a sixth-place finish in the drivers’ championship without a single race win to his name.
At the age of 38 many have suggested that Hamilton could be coming to the end of his career in Formula 1, with the Brit struggling to compete with the younger generation.
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With Mercedes expected to be a lot more competitive this season however, the seven-time world champion has suggested that he is not concerned about his age, as he remains as hungry as ever.
“I have been here a long time. I continue to love racing and that is never ever going to change. It’s part of my DNA and I always believe I can get better,” he said.
“I love the challenge of the mental and the physical elements, of having to deep dive, and see how I can extract more performance from me, the people around me, and the car that is constantly evolving.
“There is always a new log-book and new tools that you gave to get used to, and I love that so I am planning to stay a little bit longer. I’m excited to go racing again.
“I feel calm, energised, and have my focus sharpened. I’m ready to do what’s necessary to win.”
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The first stumbling block that Hamilton will have to overcome if Mercedes are competitive one again this season is his teammate George Russell.
The 24-year-old managed to finish two places above Hamilton last season and if the veteran cannot even beat a man in the same machinery as him, he will be unable to win the championship.
With Lewis Hamilton re-energised ahead of the upcoming season, it will be exciting to see exactly how the Brit begins the season in Bahrain, with many having high hopes for his title chances.