There have been only a few drivers in the history of Formula 1 who have commanded the entire sport in the way Lewis Hamilton has. Hamilton’s hot streak of championship success began with the advent of the turbo-hybrid era of F1, which kick-started in 2014. Ever since the 7x champion has been amongst the wreaths of success. But then, the latest regulation reset of 2022 dragged him and his team, Mercedes back to reality.

The 38-year-old was at the very top of his game in this last decade. Naturally, being relegated to an upper-midfield presence would’ve unsettled the champion. This has also been very apparent in the body language of the Brit. For all intents and purposes, Hamilton believed that he had the right to win. But is that an approach befitting a champion as great as him?

Lewis Hamilton snapped back to reality

In the F1 paddock, Guenther Steiner is known for being a no-nonsense man. And the Silver Arrows’ racing ace should’ve seen a few harsh words coming his way. In light of Hamilton’s struggles on the track and the public criticism he’s been receiving for it, Steiner has decided to set the record straight for the man from Stevenage.

While speaking with the Daily Mail, Steiner said, “Your team can’t always win. It’s human. It’s a competition. Formula 1 is not Formula Mercedes! Mercedes have had eight good years and nothing is forever, as we all know. Being surprised or not agreeing to be beaten is something that I find very strange.”

“You have to pull yourself together and try again. But you can’t expect or demand to be the best because you’ve won eight times, that doesn’t make you win a ninth time.” [translated via Google Translate]

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With so much incessant criticism coming his way, and the Silver Arrows struggling, is Hamilton tempted to ditch the sport completely?

Timeline set for Hamilton’s retirement

We all know that sooner or later, Hamilton will hang up his racing helmet. This would be a sad eventuality. However, no one wants to see a driver with Hamilton’s legacy bowing out with his head hanging low. According to Toto Wolff, this may be the sad reality we’ll have to bear after all.

Marca quoted the Austrian as revealing, “I don’t think that he’s at that stage but I would have no grouch if that happens in a year or two.”

“As a driver, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to make sure that he has the car, and if we cannot demonstrate that we can give him the car in the next couple of years then he needs to look everywhere.”

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Lewis Hamilton is down in the dumps, but this is sure to make that 8th title even sweeter if he ever gets his hands on it.