Lewis Hamilton is gearing up for the 2024 season with his sights aimed at capturing his eighth Formula 1 world title and securing his status as the greatest in the sport’s history. Despite facing challenges in recent seasons and not winning in the last 45 races, the veteran driver remains hopeful about his chances.
In a recent interview with Formula 1 Magazine, the seven-time F1 champion not only shared his thoughts on the upcoming season but also hinted at the possibility of taking a break after clinching his coveted eighth reign.
Chasing Victory
Hamilton’s rivalry with Max Verstappen has been a focal point in F1 since their intense battle for the championship in 2021. Verstappen and Red Bull’s recent dominance has shifted the dynamics of the sport, leaving Hamilton eager to reclaim his spot at the top.
With Mercedes introducing the all-new W15 race car, pundits anticipate a resurgence of the 2021 rivalry between the two to provide fans a renewed excitement, which has been something they’ve been missing in the past two Red Bull-dominated campaigns.
Despite the competitive nature of F1, Hamilton had words of encouragement for his rival, Verstappen. In a surprising show of sportsmanship, the Briton advised the young Belgian-Dutch driver to keep doing what he was doing and acknowledged his competitor’s impressive performance.
Eighth Title and Possible Sabbatical of Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton’s pursuit of an eighth World Championship title is a storyline that could put the 2024 F1 season in the history books of the sport for a long time. However, the veteran driver clarified that winning the coveted record would not be his end goal.
While he is contractually committed to Mercedes until the end of the 2025 season, he expressed uncertainty about his future in the sport beyond that point. The possibility of a sabbatical emerged as the Mercedes F1 racer pondered the idea of taking a break to clear his mind before deciding on his next move.
Hamilton’s contemplation of a sabbatical aligns with the experiences of other retired athletes, such as Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher, who returned to the sport after a hiatus. The idea of stepping away temporarily from the high-pressure environment of F1 is rooted in a desire to avoid the void that arises when a lifelong pursuit suddenly ends.
The seven-time F1 Drivers Champion recognizes the potential benefits of a sabbatical, which would allow him the time to reassess his passion and decide whether a return to the pit box is in the cards.
Will.i.am’s Optimism and Max Verstappen’s Challenge
Renowned musician and Mercedes collaborator Will.i.am echoed the optimism shared by Mercedes’ CEO Toto Wolff for the 2024 season. Expressing confidence in the team’s engineering prowess and the exceptional driving skills of Lewis Hamilton, the award-winning artist highlighted the historical significance of the experienced driver securing another win.
Despite Verstappen’s current dominance, Will.i.am believes it will take years for him to catch up should Hamilton ever secure his eighth title.