Home

Ex-Red Bull F1 Hopeful Defends Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes Success With ‘Crazy’ 2012 Conversation

Published 10/27/2021, 5:39 AM EDT

Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers on the Formula One grid. However, everyone was quite surprised when the British driver decided to leave McLaren and join Mercedes, a team that was struggling at the time.

But the decision turned out to be fruitful, as Lewis picked up six world titles with them, and played a vital role in helping the Silver Arrows win every constructors’ championship on offer since 2014.

Former Formula One driver, Jean-Eric Vergne, recently explained the conversation he had with the Knight, and how he doesn’t believe that luck plays a role in motorsport.

Article continues below this ad

Ex F1 driver remembers the conversation he had with Lewis Hamilton in 2012

When JEV was on the grid, he remembers speaking to Lewis back in 2012 at the Indian Grand Prix. He opened up about why Lewis signed with Mercedes, and how luck has nothing to do with F1.

Speaking on the podcast, Beyond the Grid, he said, “I think it is very important, but you know some people, may call it luck. And with time I get through I get to realize that this is not entirely true.

“And to me, the best example is Lewis. I remember I was in India in 2012, he was still with McLaren, and that he was going to Mercedes. And, Mercedes was a new team, wasn’t winning any races; far from winning any races.

“And I told him, “You’re crazy”, I mean why do you go there, you are in the best Formula One team with McLaren. And, he told me and said, “Because I need to build this team around me, and I need that If I want to beat Sebastian.”

He added, “Sebastian was winning everything back then, and when I look at the career that Lewis now had was with Mercedes. What he has done is anything, but luck. The guy trusted the people that were in the team at the beginning, he could read them, understand with Toto Wolff, and all the technical guys behind,” he concluded.

Watch Story: F1 Drivers Fighting on Track

Can Lewis win his eighth title in Formula One?

The 2021 season hasn’t been an easy one for Hamilton. The Mercedes driver is having an intense battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. As it stands, it is the Dutch driver who leads the championship with a 12-point gap.

Article continues below this ad

With five races remaining till the end of the season, Hamilton hopes that he can bridge the gap, and emerge victorious this season by claiming the 2021 title.

What is your prediction for Lewis this year? Let us know in the comments below.

Article continues below this ad

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Arpit Gomes is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing his Journalism degree from Xavier’s Institute, he is a big fan of McLaren and their driver Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Arpit always looks forward to the paddock moving to Spa and drivers dealing with the exciting Eau Rouge corner as well the straight at Monza.

Ex-Red Bull F1 Hopeful Defends Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes Success With ‘Crazy’ 2012 Conversation

Ex F1 driver remembers the conversation he had with Lewis Hamilton in 2012

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

Can Lewis win his eighth title in Formula One?