- The seven-time F1 world champion is struggling at Mercedes, with the star finishing 14th in the recent Gp in Imola
- Hamilton admitted that Mercedes would not be competing for titles this season as the car continues to face porpoising issues
- While signing the contract with Mercedes, which expires in 2023, Hamilton claimed that he does not plan to be with F1 until 40
- His teammate Geoge Russell is at position three on the F1 grid behind Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari
Last weekend, Lewis Hamilton finished 14th in the sprint race at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
Because of his disappointment in Italy, he suggested that his chances of winning the drivers’ championship were already over, which could jeopardize his long-term involvement in racing.
Lewis Hamlton finished p14 at the Emilia Romagna GP. Photo: XBP
Lewis Hamilton has admitted that his championship bid is over for this season, but will he retire at the end of the season?
Hamilton is a seven-time champion, and his most recent victory tied him with Michael Schumacher.
It appeared that he would be the favourite to win an eighth, separating him from the best ever and establishing him as the unrivalled greatest.
Instead, he was deposed as champion in controversial circumstances by Max Verstappen.
While Formula One admitted that the actions that led to the situation resulted from human error, the outcome was not reversed.
Hamilton was essentially invited to deal with the injustice with no recourse.
Due to the disappointment, he was rumoured to be considering leaving the sport, but he ultimately chose to sign a new two-year contract with Mercedes and look to the future.
The future has arrived, and it is doubly disheartening. After finishing 14th in the Imola Sprint on Saturday afternoon, it was clear that the brief glimpse of hope from Free Practice 2 was insufficient to launch a challenge.
He admitted after the race that Mercedes “obviously are not fighting for the championship.”
Given that teammate Russell is currently third – ahead of Red Bull, who has not given up – Hamilton’s enthusiasm for what the team can achieve this season, and certainly not for himself, is seriously questioned.
Of course, every driver is looking out for themselves first and foremost, but Russell may have reason to be disappointed.
He could possibly compete for titles, but his more senior teammate doesn’t have it.
Upon signing his new deal, which expires in 2023, Hamilton had claimed: “I don’t plan to be here until I’m 40. I hope I have something else exciting to do beyond.”
Hamilton’s teammate George Russell (left) sits p3 on F1 grid. Photo: MARCA
He will be 38 years old this summer. Recent events indicate that he is already making preparations for something exciting to do.
If he has no chance of breaking Schumacher’s record, there may be little incentive to continue collecting data on a car that will never win a championship.
Hamilton has been successful for a decade and knows little else these days.
He might have been heartbroken in the season finale in 2021, but he could console himself with the thought that it had taken someone else’s mistake to dethrone him as champion.
HAMILTON INVOLVED IN THE CHELSEA BID
Hamilton, who has described the prospect as a “dream,” is part of a consortium that hopes to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, Sir Martin Broughton and Seb Coe, and his peer, Serena Williams.
The sports stars are reportedly not going to be involved in the football side of the operations, but he no longer needs to race with a reported net worth of more than £200 million.
Perhaps he will find more fulfilment in investing, following Shaquille O’Neal’s footsteps, who has found just as much success outside of their first-day job as they have in their following.
There is still time for Mercedes to influence Hamilton’s decision in their favour.
Collecting data is one thing for a long-term project, but the German team and Toto Wolff still have a chance to make the team competitive with the majority of the season still ahead of them.
They have been ready to capitalize on Red Bull’s failures to collect points this season, and Hamilton’s persistence gave them a late chance in Abu Dhabi last season when it appeared their campaign was already over.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login