Lewis Hamilton is just about as big as a Formula 1 driver can get. That being said, his employer of the past decade, Mercedes, are no petty customer, too. Naturally, given the history of this iconic alliance, you wouldn’t ever question the underlying loyalty both parties share with each other. But the sport of Formula 1 can be a cruel mistress. And the demands of the sport often outweigh the highs a driver can experience. Given Mercedes and the 7x champion’s recent struggles, an F1 insider feels 2022 may have started a ticking bomb with regard to Hamilton’s F1 career.

At Brawn (now Mercedes), Jenson Button won the biggest prize out there. In 2009, he won the Formula 1 title. What ensued after was a relatively successful spell with McLaren. However, as the team weaned off into the midfield challenger they are today, Button came to grips with the cost-benefit analysis of being an F1 driver. Eventually, he decided to hang up his racing helmet, giving no real shot at another title. And he claims this exact thought may be troubling his ex-teammate, Hamilton.

While he was talking about his own decision to quit, SkySports F1 quoted the 43-year-old as saying, “It’s something we all go through at some point in our careers. It’s a reason why a lot of people retire; they’re not in a winning car anymore. And that’s why I left.”

He then juxtaposition’d this with the crossroads Hamilton finds himself at. “You can deal with the pressure you put yourself under if you’re in a winning car. When you’re not, it’s like, you know what I’ve had enough…I want to get out.”

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Hamilton himself has elucidated amply on his retirement plans. But is the W14 enough to keep the Brit motivated?

Lewis Hamilton gives his verdict on the W14

Mercedes revealed the revolutionary W14 on February 15th. The all-black livery was an ode to the past, but also a massive weight-saving exercise. Soon after, both Hamilton and his teammate George Russell attended a shakedown session at Silverstone. And the first signs for the Brit look promising.

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SBNation quoted the 38-year-old as saying, “It has been great to get up and running with the W14. It is always a much-anticipated moment for everyone at the factory that has been working so hard; I’m incredibly grateful for all the effort that has gone in. The day has been smooth; we got through a good programme, and we’ve come away with some useful findings.”

“I generally felt comfortable in the car and I’m excited to get going in Bahrain.”

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Do you think Lewis Hamilton will have a capable machinery this time around to challenge for that elusive 8th title?