Janice R. Andrews
A striking similarity exists between Lewis Hamilton and the England men’s football team: both are talented and full of pride, and they both know what it means to carry the aspirations and hopes of a country on their shoulders. Both are accustomed to being the centre of attention for others.
When Hamilton made his spectacular Grand Prix debut in Melbourne in 2007, the motorsport world was captivated, and three-time world champion Niki Lauda referred to him as the best rookie driver she had ever seen. This marked Hamilton’s entry onto the international stage. At just 23 years old, he became the sport’s youngest-ever champion the following year. Six more titles came next, tying the legendary Michael Schumacher’s record.
The focus is on the present for Gareth Southgate and England as they aim for an iconic first trophy in almost 60 years at Euro 2024 in Germany. “I recall being thrust into the spotlight when I was little. Ahead of the British Grand Prix, at an IWC Shaffhausen event, the Mercedes driver told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies, “I can’t imagine how it is for those guys on the pitch.” “The weight of the entire nation bearing down on you. It’s difficult. With all of the challenges that our team has faced and the perseverance with which they have overcome them, I am incredibly proud of them. It’s just been incredibly amazing, in my opinion.
What a Nation Anticipates
With hopes maybe stronger than ever going into this year’s competition, the Three Lions are hoping to record a new chapter in the nation’s football history. Why? The main reason for this is a stellar lineup that included Phil Foden, the Premier League player of the year, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, the player of the year for Real Madrid, and many more.
However, because to the team’s dismal performances thus far, fans, analysts, and former players have all heavily criticised Southgate and the group. A remarkable comeback victory over Slovakia in the round of 16 seemed to have planted the seeds of a turn around. But Hamilton knows he needs to keep his feet planted. “I try not to become very excited! You are aware of England’s habitual World Cup behaviour. I don’t want to put too much strain on you. We simply have such a talented group of athletes. All we ask is that they work in unison.
Wise Words
Hamilton discusses the guidance he wishes he had gotten during his breakthrough year as he looks back on his own career. “If I could go back in time and tell myself what I knew in 2007…I could have managed things more skillfully and surrounded myself with a stronger team. I didn’t have a team supporting me at the time,” he says. “People don’t understand that when you’re thrown into the deep end, it can be quite overwhelming, especially if you lack the proper support system.” Family is one thing, but what I mean when I talk about protective people are those who help keep you safe and ensure that you don’t fall into all the holes in the world. As a child, I would have most likely been in a happy environment.
Household Pride
In addition to his exceptional driving skills, heart-on-sleeve demeanour, and record-breaking accomplishments on the racetrack—including the most career victories, pole positions, podium finishes, and points—Hamilton’s ascent to prominence in the public eye has also been attributed to these qualities. A new generation of British drivers has been inspired by the accomplishments of the seven-time drivers’ champion. To see that in action, just take a look at the class of 2024, which includes Hamilton, George Russell, Lando Norris of McLaren, and Ollie Bearman, a youngster at Ferrari, who will be joining the US-based Haas squad for the upcoming season.
“I believe that maybe I felt the strain when I was younger. However, the number of British drivers has increased, therefore the pressure seems to have lessened,” he chuckles. “It has no relation to me,” he admits modestly. “Somehow, we just turn out incredibly excellent drivers. It’s wonderful to realise that we have a history of it. It makes me very happy to be one of them.
Beyond the racecourse, the first and only Black world champion in motorsport history has assumed the role of the sport’s conscience, speaking out against injustice and urging more action to address some of the issues surrounding diversity, representation, and inclusion in the industry through his charitable organisation, Mission 44. Over 150 young people benefited from Mission 44’s outreach programmes in Austin, Silverstone, and Sao Paulo last year.
A Year of Emotions
The weekend when Hamilton is scheduled to run in the British Grand Prix for the final time with the Silver Arrows also coincides with England’s attempt to get to the semifinals of Euro 2024. When it was revealed earlier this year that the British driver would be joining Ferrari for the 2025 season and leaving Mercedes at the end of the current campaign, it shocked the motorsport community. Does the idea of having his final dance at the storied Silverstone circuit with his current attire make him feel anything?
Right now, it simply seems like a different race. Everything has an identical feeling. We still seem to be attempting to grow. Our goal is to triumph. We’re attempting to advance further in the season,” he says. “We’re working so efficiently and with such concentrate that I’m not really feeling the emotions. Maybe I will feel that way while I’m there because there have been races earlier in the year where I’ve thought, “This is going to be my last race with Mercedes at this track.” Although the sensations have varied greatly from what I had anticipated, this year has undoubtedly been very emotional.
Mercedes has fallen behind Red Bull and Ferrari in the standings since the 2022 season due to their inability to adjust to the new technical regulations, despite dominating the sport throughout the turbo-hybrid era and winning eight consecutive Constructors’ titles from 2014 to 2021. For the first time since 2011, the team had a winless season in 2023, which made it very agonising. Thankfully, Hamilton has found great success at his home event, winning a record eight races at the track.
A Hint of Hope
The team has shown signs of promise this season. George Russell finished third in Montreal last month, but he had two victories this past weekend: Hamilton finished on the podium in Spain for the first time this season, while Russell won his second race of all time at the Austrian Grand Prix. “Everyone back at the factory who has been working so hard for the past few years and not getting that success, this is a huge boost,” Hamilton adds. “I think you notice and appreciate the good days more than normal when you’ve had so many lows and everyone’s had a hard time,” the author says. It was probably simply like, “Yeah, we’re winning,” when we were always winning. I believe that’s where it was. Undoubtedly, it is more meaningful to them.
The 39-year-old’s position is unaffected even though he hasn’t experienced race victory since the penultimate race of the 2021 season in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the week before his attempt to win a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship ended in contentious circumstances in Abu Dhabi. So what are the chances of him winning this season to end his 12-year career with Mercedes?
He states, “I think the last race showed that we’re getting closer.” “I believe that in terms of earning it by moving as quickly as possible… We don’t seem to be too far apart.
