Could you ever imagine anyone telling Lewis Hamilton that he?s lost the hunger to compete at the best level? The same 38-year-old, seven-time champion who, against all odds, got pole position at the Hungarian GP this season? The same Hamilton who?s an inspiration to so many young drivers? That same Hamilton who?s just as inclined to win that record-breaking eighth championship as he was in 2021? Well, that?s what happened, and it was none other than F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart to make that judgment.

While it is true that F1 hasn?t gotten to witness the Hamilton from 2021 in the past couple of years, that doesn?t mean he isn?t there. It also doesn?t mean that he doesn?t have the same drive to compete and win. But in an interview with Bild, Sir Jackie 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.? Hamilton didn?t just sit back and listen. He hit back at Stewart.

Lewis Hamilton takes a dig at Sir Jackie Stewart

At the moment, the biggest hurdle in the way of Hamilton, Mercedes, and their dream to compete for the title again is the formidable duo of Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The 2021 season was supposed to be just the beginning of a long rivalry, but after Mercedes dropped the ball post-2021, it hasn?t gotten back up since. Needless to say, Hamilton & Co.?s immediate aim is to catch up to the Milton-Keynes team. Considering Hamilton just signed a two-year deal with Mercedes worth a whopping $127 million?in Hamilton’s words?their story isn?t finished.

After Stewart?s statements about Hamilton not being up to the challenge to beat Verstappen, the seven-time champion lashed out at his views during a recent interview. He said, ?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.? Although the past couple of seasons have been riddled with mistakes for Mercedes, Hamilton hasn?t given up hope, unlike Stewart said.?

As a 38-year-old, Hamilton has other priorities in life, but he?s expressed that F1 is the biggest one. To add to that, the Brit subtly said how he would never want to be like Stewart, bringing down drivers from generations after his. At the end of the day, whether he meant to or not, that?s precisely what Stewart did to Hamilton. Contrary to Stewart?s comments, the Mercedes driver revealed how he?s never hungrier to win.

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Lewis Hamilton & Co. are ?hungrier? than ever

After watching Mercedes dominate the turbo-hybrid era from 2014 to 2021, it came as a shock to everyone that the team from Brackley just hasn?t been competitive for the past couple of years. With Verstappen and Red Bull assuming reign and showing no signs of slowing down, Mercedes is as driven as ever to retake that top spot from the Milton-Keynes outfit. This time away from the front has helped the Brackley team realize just how much it wants to regain its lost form from 2021.

After announcing his contract extension last weekend, Hamilton gave a statement to Mercedes. 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. I?m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn?t finished; we are determined to achieve more together and won?t stop until we do.?

It?s evident that Lewis Hamilton has his eyes set on that elusive eighth-world title, and he won?t stop until he gets it. That?s what he?s working toward. That?s what Mercedes is working toward. While 2024 might be a big ask, can he return to the front in 2025?

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