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SHANGHAI, CHINA: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
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SHANGHAI, CHINA: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
It only feels like yesterday that Lewis Hamilton took a leap of faith by switching to Mercedes from 2013 onwards. At the time, it had drawn varied reactions from the F1 community, considering he had left one of the biggest teams, McLaren.
The move was most certainly a risk, but Hamilton decided to pursue it anyway. Reflecting on that decision, he now believes that had he not left to join Mercedes, he would have remained a one-time champion.
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Speaking on a podcast, Hamilton stated, “I had to really analyze you know the pros and cons. But for me, taking the risk, I mean if you’re not going for a gap, Senna used to say, ‘If you’re not going for a gap, then you’re no longer a racing driver’.”
I wouldn’t have another championship to my name, says Lewis Hamilton
“I think if you’re not taking risks in life, then you’re standing still. And so I could have stayed there, I mean in hindsight you look at if I’d stayed there, I wouldn’t have another championship to my name.”
His debut season in 2013 with Mercedes did not go too well, with Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull taking home the trophies on offer. But since then, it has been all about Mercedes and Hamilton coming together to put forth stupefying performances on the trot.
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FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the race and the world championship Pool via REUTERS/Clive Mason/Pool/File Photo
The Briton continued, “I would still be one-time world champion after 14 years. So you know, things happen for a reason one way or another. And I’m really, really grateful that I took that step, I took that leap of faith.”
Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 is unknown for the time being
Having notched 7 F1 titles and drawn level with the legendary Michael Schumacher in 2020, many were curious as to what lay ahead for Hamilton.
A century of F1 wins and a record-breaking 8th championship is, of course, still on the horizon for the 36-year-old.
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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action at the start of the race Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace
However, he is currently without a contract and will soon need to reach a compromise with Mercedes if he is to continue in the sport. Many fans await the developments, considering it concerns the biggest star in Formula 1.
But even if 2020 were to have been his last F1 season, Hamilton would depart with absolutely no regrets with his decision. After all, moving to Mercedes changed his life and has now made him one of the absolute all-time greats in F1 history.
