Motorsports
Hamilton on Abu Dhabi: “I refuse to let it dictate my career”
Lewis Hamilton first spoke at length about his thoughts following the events of the controversial Abu Dhabi GP in 2021, which saw him denied the eighth championship of his career, stating: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.
Presenting the 2022 Mercedes W13 today, Lewis Hamilton showed himself as always: full of determination and confidence, seemingly unhesitating in the face of yet another challenge to win another Formula 1 World Championship – provided, of course, that the W13 proves to be as fast as it is indicates.
The 37-year-old Briton said that the day after the race in Persia he simply turned the switch completely and distanced himself from anything F1-related in what he saw as one of the most controversial – if not unfair – titles manage in the history of the sport, robbing him of the eighth championship record of his career.
“I just pulled the plug, turned off the switch” said Lewis. “I think I deserve to flick the switch at the end of the year anyway and I just had my family by my side, all my family, on a rare occasion where we can all be together. So I wanted to be with her. .
It obviously took me a while to digest what happened – which I think is still difficult to comprehend. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. “I’ve devoted myself to my training, staying healthy and enjoying my free time – because that goes by quickly.”
After saying that a little earlier today “I never said I would leave” from Formula 1, now the Englishman went on to explain whether such thoughts went through his head after Abu Dhabi and in the winter: “I’ve thought about leaving so many times!” he said laughing.
And he continued: “Honestly I haven’t thought about it now. Of course it comes to mind at the end of every year and every time you ask yourself if you’re willing to put in all the time and effort it takes to become world champions I think a lot of people understand how much it takes to become world champion?
The question is: do you want to sacrifice time? Do you think you can still fight in the weight class you fight in? This is of course a normal mental process for me, but this time it got a bit more complex with an important new parameter. But in the end, I love the sport that I’ve loved all my life.”
The British concluded: “There was a time when I kind of lost my faith in the whole system. But I’m generally very determined, and I like to think that while moments like these define careers, I refuse to let them define my own. I strive to be the best I can be and come back stronger.
Sophia Jhon is a sports journalist and author. He has worked as a news editor for Sportish and is now a sport columnist for the same publication. Alberta’s professional interests lie largely in sports news, with an emphasis on English football. He has also written articles on other sporting topics.