”Still I Rise” is the motto of Lewis Hamilton – The Formula 1 record world champion has already had to recover from these setbacks and failures in his career
The motto “Still I Rise” (or alternatively “Still We Rise”) has been on the helmet of record Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton for more than ten years now. And this attitude to life describes the Briton’s career so far pretty well.
“I think the metaphor is simple: no matter what difficulties you go through, you always grow from them. That’s something my dad always drummed into me,” Hamilton said many years ago about the phrase on his helmet.
And although the now 40-year-old is now the most successful driver in the history of the premier class with seven world championship titles and 105 race wins, there have been setbacks and failures in his career that he has had to struggle with.
His biggest defeat is arguably the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where he lost the victory and with it an eighth world title under controversial circumstances. But even before that, Hamilton had already experienced some tough moments in his career. Some of them were of his own making, while in others Hamilton was completely blameless.
“We’ve had so many ups and downs in our lives and careers – like everyone here – but [my father] would always say, ‘Come out of it stronger and give the answer on the track,’” said Hamilton about his motto in life.
And indeed, Hamilton often managed to strike back after a negative experience. For example, after he lost the 2016 World Cup duel to Nico Rosberg, he went on to win four consecutive World Cup titles starting in 2017.
It will therefore be interesting to see whether Hamilton can also free himself from his current form crisis. “I’m definitely not fast anymore,” he said self-critically at the end of the last season in 2024.
A move to Ferrari should now give his career a new boost. When he left McLaren for Mercedes after the 2012 season, it worked out well…
