Trigger warning! Mention of Abu Dhabi ‘21. “Of all the drama, of all the controversy, of all the magic moments in Formula 1 in 2021, it comes down to this. And at this moment, it looks like it’s going to go the way of Max Verstappen. Mercedes not happy. Red Bull will be delighted. They have shared a brilliant championship battle, but the championship can only be won by one, and it’s going Dutch in 2021. Max Verstappen, for the first time ever, is Champion of the World!” While this may have been what Max Verstappen’s dreams were made of, the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP would be nothing less than a nightmare for Lewis Hamilton. 

That night, the seven-time champion came agonizingly close to an eighth title, but it wasn’t meant to be. It hasn’t been since. As much as Hamilton would’ve liked to go against Verstappen until he secured that elusive eighth title, Mercedes just hasn’t given him the means. You would think the Brit’s waiting for his shot at another championship. Guess what? That’s not his biggest career goal.

Hamilton’s biggest achievement would be fulfilling a short-term goal

Just over a month ago, 38-year-old Hamilton announced he’d be driving for Mercedes until 2025. This came after he said he wouldn’t want to still be in F1 after he’s 40. Well, he revealed he underestimated his love for the sport and his drive to continue. Just hours after that announcement, he set his priorities straight. He said he has unfinished business, explaining, “We’re trying to win more championships. I think the unfinished business is getting us back to the top. It’s getting back and fighting for the world championships.”

The fight for the championship has been nonexistent for two seasons. That’s how dominant Red Bull has been. But the seven-time champion clearly sees potential in Mercedes and Brackley. You can’t help but think his first pole position in 33 races at the Hungarian GP helped Mercedes’ case. If he didn’t think he could win championships with the Brackley outfit again, what would’ve been his reason to stick around? A championship fight, though, is still a ways away, considering where Mercedes is at right now. That’s why Hamilton is focusing on achieving something short-term.

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In a conversation with Blick, the interviewer said, “38 races without a win (last win: 2021 Saudi ArabianGP). A long time for a man with 103 record successes.” Hamilton replied, “We’ll be coming back. We can do it. The next step to the top podium will come. And it will probably be my greatest triumph in my career.” [Translated by Google] Since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP, Verstappen has won 29 races. The F1 world right now is basically Verstappen’s, and every other driver is just living in it. To beat Verstappen is what every driver is striving for, and Hamilton is no different.

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After watching his 2021 rival do what Hamilton did from 2014 to 2020, the Brit is determined to experience that feeling of winning again. More than anything. Needless to say, his hunger to win is at an all-time high.

Lewis Hamilton is hungry for a win and a title

After Hamilton announced his contract extension, he said, “We have never been hungrier to win. We have learned from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge, and we will win again.” If that doesn’t show intent, what does? The thing is, his confession didn’t convince F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart. In an interview with Bild, Stewart said, “Lewis no longer has that hunger [to win]. That [eighth title] also depends on Mercedes. It’s not impossible, but I still don’t think he’ll be able to do it.” 

The biggest obstacle standing in Hamilton’s way is Red Bull and Verstappen. Whether Stewart meant to or not, he basically implied that Hamilton would never be able to get the better of Verstappen. The Brit didn’t just sit back and listen, though. He hit back at Stewart, saying, “There are people that are very short-minded, who make the comments that they do, not knowing the work that’s being done in the background. One day, when I stop, I want to be encouraging the next generation of drivers, letting them know it’s okay to make mistakes. Being inspiring rather than shutting them down.”

There’s no doubt Lewis Hamilton will stay in F1 until he sorts out his unfinished business. That unfinished business starts with a win. Once he gets that, he’ll begin chasing that record-breaking eighth title.

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