After the agony of missing out on his eighth World Championship at the “manipulated” 2021 season finale, Sir Lewis Hamilton has revealed that claiming the unprecedented number eight is still something he wants to achieve, with it being “at the centre” of his “thoughts”.
Following on from the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton has faced a disastrous campaign, mainly due to Mercedes having designed a car not capable of winning races.
The seven-time World Champion is currently sixth in the World Championship and is yet to win a race, something he’ll be looking to achieve at one of the remaining six races.
Hamilton has managed to win a race in every season he’s competed in, a record that dates back to 2007.
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The 37-year-old has claimed six podiums this season, including several second-place finishes; however, a victory and a pole position continues to elude the driver contracted to the end of 2023.
With age not in his favour, time is running out for Hamilton to get back to winning ways, with many wondering if the Brit will retire next season should Mercedes continue to be behind Red Bull and Ferrari.
Formula 1’s managing director Ross Brawn is certain that Hamilton will “be back” once Mercedes have a “winning car again”, with the 67-year-old simply believing that team-mate George Russell is simply “hungrier” at the moment.
“Lewis is in the twilight of his career,” Brawn, who worked with Hamilton at Mercedes, told Sport Bild.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s over yet. He’s putting a lot of effort into getting a winning car again, which for him is a kind of character test.
“It may well be that George Russell is hungrier in the races as a result. But Lewis will be back, I’m sure.
“The same with Mercedes. I believe these periods of weakness that you have to overcome make you even stronger. I know that from my own experience,” Brawn added.
Many wondered if Hamilton would actually return this season, after the Brit took a lengthy break from social media after what unravelled at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Hamilton is known to have felt disillusioned with the sport, but obviously decided to continue after all.
His battle with Max Verstappen last year was ferocious; however, Hamilton is certain that there is “nothing left” between the pair, with “no hard feelings” remaining.
“There is nothing left over between Max and I,” the British driver insisted.
“Max did his duty last year and I have zero problems with him.
“There’s quite a few years between us so probably out of the car there wasn’t that mutual respect. But there are no hard feelings.”
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Whilst Hamilton won’t win the title this season, the Brit is aiming to return to the “top again” next season, with the Mercedes driver recognising that whilst another World Championship isn’t an “obsession”, it is something he wants.
“It’s not an obsession, but it’s certainly at the centre of my thoughts,” added Hamilton.
“It is at the top of the pyramid, and the work done at the base this year is about getting to the top again.”