Despite being 40 years old with 17 years in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton is determined to prove that he doesn’t have a ‘shelf life’ and his priority is still winning.
Recently in a Time Magazine feature, Hamilton snapped back at the comments made by the Mercedes team principal that claimed the seven-time champion had a limited shelf-life which he was nearing the end of. The Brit re-iterated that he is determined to get back to his winning ways.
He didn’t hide his excitement with joining the prancing horses, “Honestly, I thought all my firsts were done. Your first car, your first crash, your first date, first day of school. The excitement I got by the idea of, ‘This is my first time in the red suit, the first time in the Ferrari.’ Wow. Honestly, I’ve never been so excited.”
Deal of the century
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari came as a shock to many after his long successful 12-year history with the Silver Arrows. But it wasn’t long before the reason behind the move were made clear.
Toto Wolff had only offered Hamilton a one-year contract extension at the end of 2024 and had denied his desire to become an ambassador for the brand. Despite the years of success and titles the duo had achieved together, Wolff believed the fire behind Hamilton was fading and it was time to focus on the future generation.
He had explained in an Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane interview, “We’re in a sport where cognitive sharpness is extremely important, and I believe everyone has a shelf life. So I need to look at the next generation.”
Hamilton, desperate for a new challenge, made the exciting jump to the Maranello prancing horses. Wolff later admitted he felt that the quote was taken out of context. But Hamilton is still taking it upon himself to prove his ex-boss and everyone who doubts him.
He said, “The old man is a state of mind, Of course your body ages. But I’m never going to be an old man.”
He often faces questions over his retirement and how close it is, now that he has hit 40 years old. There have been comparisons to other older athletes such as Tom Brady and LeBron James. Great within their sports, but Hamilton doesn’t want to be compared to them. Forging his own path.
He said, “You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula 1 driver in history. Because they are nothing like me. I’m hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids. I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That’s my No. 1 priority.”
The fight for the elusive eight
Hamilton’s goal as it always has been is for his eighth title. Despite already being the best driver in history statistically, he wants more. The title that slipped from his fingers in 2021, he is determined to get it in 2025.
Ferrari has the driver line-up of dreams, with Charles Leclerc alongside the Brit making it an impressive duo of experience and raw talent from both sides. Both drivers in the line-up have worked with Fred Vasseur, the Ferrari team principal, in their past and he helped them develop as drivers in the early stages of their careers.
He also reunites with his previous physical therapist Angela Cullen, who supported him throughout years of his career. She left briefly to work with Marcus Armstrong in IndyCar but is coming back to Hamilton as he embarks on this new part of his career.
Hamilton admitted, “I know exactly where the North Star is, I know where I need to go. I know how to get there. It’s far, and it’s going to be tough to get there, but I know I’ve got all the ingredients, all the people, an amazing team around me. So it’s how much you want it. And I can’t express to you how much I want it.”
He signed a multi-year contract with the prancing horses and was open about how likely his retirement is, saying, “What I can tell you is, retirement is nowhere on my radar. I could be here until I’m 50, who knows?”
Feature Image Credit: Scuderia Ferrari
