© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
By Carol M. Creasey
If it feels like you have heard the name of Lewis Hamilton for many years, it’s because you most definitely did.
He has been racing since the age of nine and, by his own admission, because his dad could not afford a new go-kart, he managed to win with the shabbiest one on the grid.
When he was given the chance to drive for Maclaren in 2007, alongside two-time world champion Fernando Alsonso, he was only supposed to be a support, because he was a rookie. But he soon proved his worth by beating the Spanish driver, and in his first year he missed out the championship by just one point. He soon put that right by claiming his first championship a year later in 2008, also by one point.
In late 2012 he made a very brave decision to leave McLaren, and join Mercedes from 2013. Many people doubted his choice, as they were not noted as being an outstanding team. But it proved to be an inspired choice, and he was instrumental in helping the team develop their car. It is well known that Lewis spent many hours at the factory offering support and encouragement.
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He had replaced seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, who unfortunately had not managed to repeat his former glory when he came back to racing in 2010. His team-mate was his old colleague and friend from junior categories Nico Rosberg. From 2014 until 2016, when Mercedes was dominant, the championship was fought between himself and Rosberg, and he came out on top in the first two years of the rivalry. Rosberg was so upset to be beaten again in 2015, that he could not bear to join in the celebrations afterwards.
In 2016, Lewis had a bad year with engine failures, and Rosberg was lucky that his car was not similarly affected. Even though Lewis won the last four races, Rosberg was far enough ahead in the points, that it was enough for him to come second and still be able to win the championship. He did just that by five points, even though ultimately Lewis had won ten races, and he had won nine.
In 2017 Mercedes was not as dominant, and Ferrari had upped their game. He fought Sebastian Vettel for three years running, only moving ahead in the championship towards the end of the season. In 2020, with Red Bull also upping their game, he won his seventh championship to equal Schumacher’s record. However, he has set his own records with pole positions and wins having reached a landmark one hundred.
In 2021 he has been fighting hard against Max Verstappen, but what is remarkable is that, although there is thirteen years between them, Lewis is the only man from his own era that is still up there putting in remarkable drives, and staying in touch with his junior, and doing it in a slower car.
It is clear that Lewis became a superstar very quickly, his natural talent shone through, and it will take someone very special to equal him in the future. But his talent is not confined to the race track, he is also a talented musician, and a fashion designer. He has also shown commitment in his pursuit of equality and inclusion, both in engineering and competing in Formula One. He has also been a strong campaigner in the Black Lives Matter movement, and has stated that he doesn’t want to be remembered as just a racing driver, but as a person who didn’t just talk about change, but actually did something about it.
He also inspires the younger drivers on the grid with praise, and offers many of them valuable advice. He is a man who truly cares about others. He is totally unique, and because of this, there are some that criticise him for not fitting into the mould of what they believe a Formula One driver should be.
Lewis also has an army of loyal and devoted fans, more than any other driver, and he always responds to their loyalty, and thanks them at races. Thank goodness we have Sir Lewis Hamilton, well mannered, and a superstar in every way. There will never be another person like him, he is totally unique.
Be sure to follow Carol on Twitter @eagertogo and visit her website www.carolmcreasey.com!
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