Lewis Hamilton made his Formula 1 debut at the age of 22, racing for the once-dominant McLaren Mercedes team. And despite racing under McLaren’s young driver programme since the karting days, Hamilton’s relationship with the British team started was steadily breaking apart.

Eventually, at one point, Hamilton’s patience ran out, as the seven-time world champion made a sensational move to the Mercedes F1 team for the 2013 F1 season.

Since then, there have been multiple questions over the sparking point to Hamilton’s decision to leave McLaren. Well, there is finally an answer to it.

Hamilton revealed that he was struggling to fit into McLaren and reckoned that it was not an easy journey with the British team.

What did Hamilton say?

Speaking to Gazzetta, Hamilton felt that the six years he spent with McLaren were all about learning. Subsequently, the move to Mercedes apparently helped him unleash his experience to play.

“McLaren was a unique experience and opportunity to learn. What I had to find out at the time was to understand what works for you. It’s not easy. You have to fit different shapes together. We’re not all square,” the Knight said.

“This is the idea that a rider must have precise characteristics and fit in an equally precise position. But it is not so.” (Translated from Italian using Google Translate)

Hamilton had a brilliant start to his F1 era, missing out on the title by a whisker. However, he took his redemption the very next season, by securing his first F1 title at the age of 23.

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It was after this point that McLaren started losing their way with the Briton. And ultimately, Mercedes came to the rescue of Hamilton.

Nothing can replace experience: Lewis Hamilton

The Briton opened up about how his experience with McLaren helped him turn into a team player rather than abiding by the team’s rules entirely.

“Over the years I have realized that it was not good for me. I had to find my own way. This helped me to grow and bring out the best,” he said.

“At McLaren, I did what they told me to do, I was too young. I learned a lot but as I got older, and consequently wiser, I understood how to work well with the team. Nothing can replace experience.”

Overall, it looks like Hamilton is having the time of his life with Mercedes, and the results are consistently falling in place for him. So, will Hamilton use this positive phase with Mercedes to the fullest and secure more titles in the future?

Also Read: Lewis Hamilton Reveals McLaren “Never Listened” to his Suggestions on Improving Tire Management