Lewis Hamilton has been waiting for a grand prix win since Saudi Arabia 2021 and continues in Formula 1 because he wants to win again
Lewis Hamilton says the dream of returning to the top step of the podium with Mercedes and winning another world title is one of the main factors that persuaded him to extend his contract by two years and stay in Formula 1 until at least the end of 2025
The seven-time world champion has been winless since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the race before the controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi. Although he has endured difficult times since the start of the ‘ground effect’ era from 2022, he is clear that his motivation to return to the top of Formula 1 has not been affected.
And Hamilton says the anticipation of the flood of emotion that comes with the post-race podium victory celebrations is one of the standout aspects that makes him hungry to achieve even more.
“It’s the dream of being on the top step of the podium and seeing your team,” he says when asked what still makes him hungry to drive Formula 1. “One of the most amazing things is to look back and see your national flag flying behind you and your team.”
“I remember the first win I celebrated with this team. I have a special picture of 2015 in Australia with the team down there in tears – it was just incredible to be a part of.”
“The power of that experience is a big part of what drives me. Winning the World Championship is a big part of the drive. We continue to build on the impact we are making with the team and continue to drive ‘Mission 44’ with the team. I don’t know how far that can go and I’m trying to extend it and that means raising more money.”
Mercedes are pinning their hopes of a return to Formula 1 on a completely new car design for 2024 after the aero concept failed to work properly on both the 2023 and 2023 cars.
It is the biggest challenge Mercedes has faced since it returned to Formula 1 with its own works team in 2010. Hamilton sees the task ahead of him on a par with his own efforts to take Mercedes to the top after joining in 2013.
“There was a lot of excitement when I switched,” he says. “We expected the start to be miserable because they hadn’t had much success, so there was a lot of excitement. I was new to the team, had to get on with everyone and build relationships. It was a very different kind of excitement.”
“Now we’ve known each other for years and have consistently good relationships. I think it’s also interesting from the outside to see how everyone deals with time,” says Hamilton, not forgetting the achievements of his team and employees. Ultimately, they are the key to success.
“I don’t think viewers appreciate that everyone is away from home and away from their families for so long that they miss special dates with their kids and all sorts of things. You see people’s energy go up and down and you try to fill in the gaps when there’s one and vice versa. That’s what a team does. “
