Lewis Hamilton has not won a race in Formula 1 since December 2021 and is currently only fourth in the drivers’ championship. The record world champion has now confirmed that he will continue to be fully motivated.
Previously, there had once again been speculation about the future of the seven-time champion, whose contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the year. So far there has been no early extension, but after the race in Spain there are said to have been initial talks with team boss Toto Wolff about extending the cooperation again.
Hamilton recently emphasized to “Sky Sports” that he was still highly motivated. He even “enjoys” the current role of the hunter, as quoted by the British TV station. Most recently he had no chance against world championship leader Max Verstappen in his Mercedes, but at least drove his W14 to a strong second place in Barcelona.
The 103-time Grand Prix winner said he still dreams of returning to the top: “I’m still incredibly hungry to win. I’m willing to sacrifice anything to get back to where I am have to go. That hasn’t changed.”
Hamilton in his eleventh year at Mercedes
After the heart-stopping finale in 2021, when Hamilton lost his eighth driver’s world championship to Max Verstappen in the Red Bull in the last lap, the 38-year-old is now only chasing for the second season in a row.
The Briton has still not given up his eighth world title, which would make him the sole record world champion ahead of Michael Schumacher (seven titles).
“I think it’s been an incredible journey to get here with a lot of ups and downs. Back then, in 2006, I never thought I would become a multiple world champion. […] I have to prove myself every weekend and show what I can do. I’ve been doing this for a very long time and I still feel very connected to the whole thing,” said Hamilton, who has been in the Mercedes for eleven years.
He contested his first years in Formula 1, including his first world title in 2008, in a McLaren.