The pinnacle of motorsport has more to lose when the seven-time champion retires, and they may find him irreplaceable when he does
I’ve said it countless times in this column that I am a Lewis Hamilton fan, a member of #TeamLH. There are multiple reasons why I root for him when watching Formula One, most of which I have listed in this space in previous pieces. For the purpose of my ruminations though, I shall recycle them succinctly to illustrate the looming conundrum facing Hamilton fans such as me in the future, a situation that is inevitable and can’t be avoided.
Hamilton probably has the broadest fan base in terms of demographic, and his reach is probably the widest of any driver on the grid. His appeal crosses socio-economic divides and spans across numerous industries. He is a global name; he is a global brand. He is the current face of Formula One, he is the superstar driver that people admire and inspired by. This high-profile exposure has been made possible by his phenomenal success on track which has made him a trailblazer off it.
Of course, there are various reasons why people are fans of Hamilton, and he is likely to mean something different to each individual fan. But for me, the rationale is predominantly personal. It’s conspicuous from the content on my website that I’m a car fanatic. I like cars, actually I love them. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that my interest in them reaches the realm of Formula One – the two are inextricably linked.
As a driver, I’ve always considered Hamilton to be different, special, unique. It's what initially compelled me to him during his astonishing debut season in 2007. If you were to configure the ultimate and most complete driver you possibly could, Hamilton has all the credentials you would want to fit that description. He has the natural talent, mentality and work ethic that enables him to extract the most himself and the car he is driving. This ability to understand how to exploit potential shows he is a quick learner and highlights his intelligence.
"There is so much depth to Hamilton, so many layers to his personality that he has become a pivotal influencer"
That ability to adapt means he races with purpose, although his reasons for racing transcend personal accolades. Of course, he has had the cars to fulfil his potential, but discernment of career opportunities and acting on that judgement is all part of the game. It has meant Hamilton has become statistically the best driver of all time. And I don’t think there is a driver on the grid that is better or could beat him at the moment. In my view, he is currently the best driver in Formula One.
To elaborate further on my connection with him, on a personal level, I relate with Hamilton in many ways. We are not from too dissimilar socio-economic backgrounds – both my parents work for the NHS. I therefore identify with how hard it is to get opportunities that underserved echelons in society are confronted with, about struggling to survive on not much money, making the most of what you have and trying to create a better life for yourself doing something you like.
It means we are not unalike in our outlook on many topics, and I am on the same page as him about most things. His philanthropic pursuits are the measure of the man and it is refreshing to see someone in such a high-profile position use his platform to promote and push for progressive change. The catalogue of projects he has ongoing really does separate him from others, as he’s not just a history maker on track, but a change maker off track too. His founding of Mission 44, a foundation backing underrepresented groups, is probably the most significant and symbolic.
However, it is as much about the person that he is which intrigues me; he is so much more than just a Formula One driver. This pioneering path he walks not only shows that he cares, but it shows that he stands for something bigger than himself. There is a purpose to his actions, there is an understanding and a realisation that he can make a difference and that he can change perceptions. He has that captivating aura which draws you in.
There is so much depth to Hamilton, so many layers to his personality that he has become a pivotal influencer not just in the realm of Formula One, but beyond. It fundamentally separates him as one of a kind, the likes of which is hard to imagine ever seeing someone similar. His effective rags to riches story flies in the face of many other drivers on the grid who come from wealthy backgrounds, and that makes him something of an anomaly in the pinnacle of motorsport.
It’s what gives him stronger willpower than rivals, as he wants it more than other drivers, and he is prepared to forgo aspects of life other drivers don’t and won’t to achieve those ambitions.
That level of discipline, that level of dedication is an approach that does not come around that often. And it’s that focus that gives him an edge few others can match. I’ve only ever watched Hamilton once at a race event when he was with McLaren at the 2011 British Grand Prix. He started in tenth place and went on to finish fourth. And I remember thinking at the time that he was faster than other drivers, that he was more talented.
I’ve not been to a Grand Prix since, the tickets are expensive you see. Watching Hamilton racing from home is a tremendous pleasure to witness. At the age of thirty seven, he started his sixteenth year in Formula One in 2022, and his tenth with Mercedes. It has been a period of unprecedented success, the likes of which the sport has not seen before. He now sits at the top of the tree, only an eighth title standing between him and outright statistical supremacy.
That feat should already have been accomplished of course, but that debate has been discussed ad infinitum. With such a compelling person and driver like Hamilton, it does cross my mind what Formula One will be like when he does eventually stop participating. An undoubted void will be left in more ways than one, and it remains to be seen if it can be filled at all. As of now I am unsure that there is a driver on the grid that can really take the baton in the way Hamilton has done.
"Hamilton is effectively the moral compass of Formula One"
From what I can deduce, Formula One has more to lose than Hamilton does when he retires. The reasons I have already outlined above describe why. Hamilton is effectively the moral compass of Formula One, his background having moulded his outlook and instilled in him a sense of duty bound obligation to speak out about social subjects, like sportswashing and human rights. It’s this candidness that makes him appear human to people who otherwise see him as a superhero.
The inevitable and unavoidable situation hurtling towards Lewis Hamilton fans is one with no easy or simple resolution, and it is a hard subject to talk about. What will they do when he does eventually retire? As a loyal Lewis fan, nothing will ever change my allegiance to him. Nevertheless it is a scenario that plays out in my mind, as I undertake the mental contortions to prepare for the looming closure of a chapter. After careful consideration, I anticipate three possible options and outcomes, with the fanbase splitting into three factions.
When Lewis stops, the first faction, the most hard-core and puritanical fans will just stop watching Formula One altogether. To them, Hamilton is like a cult figure that no other driver can ever replicate. It’s Lewis Hamilton, or nobody. And when you think about that rationale, they are right; he is irreplaceable in many ways, which will only become evident when he has left.
The second faction of Lewis Hamilton fans will probably become neutral, because they don’t feel inclined to want to support another driver due to devotion to Hamilton, but they like Formula One, so they continue to want to watch the pinnacle of motorsport. This option is the more likely for those who are perhaps not intrigued by the drivers in Hamilton’s stead.
And the third faction will be more open to the idea of signing up for fan membership of another driver, not because they are disloyal or no longer a fan of Lewis, but because supporting another driver makes the Formula One fan experience more interactive and fulfilling. This prospect is probable for many, although they will end up comparing and contrasting that driver to Hamilton, which is hard but fair as he is the benchmark.
What about me? Well, I’m a car fanatic, so I shall continue watching Formula One without a doubt. Naturally, I like several teams in particular – Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari all have mesmeric gravitas to me. There’s less of a personal connection with most of the drivers on the grid though. Whereas with Lewis, we’re from similar social economic backgrounds and share a selection of common interests, so I’d like to think we would get along.
But between the drivers that are racing in Formula One right now, when Hamilton does retire, George Russell and Lando Norris are the pair I’d most likely root for. Sure, we’re from different social economic backgrounds, and that probably does reflect in our personalities and perspectives, but I think they’re both decent people and great drivers, so that’s where my support would go.
However, my allegiance to Lewis Hamilton will never change no matter what; even after he retires I will always be a fan. And the 2022 season appears to be the biggest challenge Hamilton and Mercedes have been confronted with. I know that sport is very psychological, so I try to offer support, encouragement and motivation as best I can, and I hope that positivity helps Hamilton/Russell and Mercedes in some way. They have so much potential, and I hope they can fulfil it.
"The statistics speak for themselves; no team has entered Formula One and dominated it like Mercedes has"
It has been difficult watching the drivers and team struggle with the W13 car in the opening two race events. But I know that Mercedes have talented and hardworking people in their ranks to find resolutions to the problems they have. People like Chief Technical Officer James Allison, Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin and Technical Director Mike Elliot, who are key figures that make up one of the most feared and respected teams in the Formula One paddock.
So exceptional are the personnel that operate at Brackley and Brixworth, Mercedes have become the most successful team after 250 grand prixs in the history of the sport. The statistics speak for themselves; no team has entered Formula One and dominated it like Mercedes has. It’s for this reason that I think there are some internal forces that are perhaps against them, and don’t particularly want them to do well. And I think this premise applies to Hamilton too.
Mercedes have been plagued by the porpoising problem on the W13, where the car bounces due to flow separation and loss of downforce. The team plans phased upgrades coming in the next races to try and rectify it, and given the unprecedented track record Mercedes has, I find it implausible that they won’t overcome the obstacle currently troubling them. And in the process they have the chance to prove, once again, why they are the best team.
It is a mistake to underestimate them. They have not just suddenly lost the magical stardust from one season to the next. In the short term there will be pain, but the patience will pay off when the performance potential that they think resides in the W13 is unleashed. It’s for these reasons, which are predicated on Mercedes prevailing from the problems they have, that I still stand by my predictions. Hamilton and Russell make up the best driver pairing in Formula One and Mercedes are the best team. But until the W13 is sorted out, the 2022 season hangs in the balance.
Photos: Mercedes-AMG Formula One Team
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