© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
By Bonnie Cehovet
A given – we are not going to forget Abu Dhabi 2021. A given – Sir Lewis Hamilton had his eighth drivers’ championship stolen due to Race Director Michael Masi’s poor decision-making.
As Lewis’ fans, we suffered with him through his self-imposed radio silence (with two exceptions – he attended his Knighthood ceremony, and he attended the Mercedes going away party for Valtteri Bottas).
Lewis came back in 2022 in good physical and mental form, however, Mercedes unfortunately had a car that was nothing but problems. Lewis saw his first year in F1 without a win, while working with Mercedes during the first half of the season to test different car settings.
What is 2023 going to bring us as fans? Definitely a chance to vocally back Lewis in all he does, on and off track. To search the Internet for his interviews and videos and comment on them. To follow him on social media (it wouldn’t hurt to follow his cute dog Roscoe on social media too – he has some interesting views on things).
One of the most in-depth and interesting interviews Lewis gave in recent years was with podcaster Jay Shetty, where he discusses finding your purpose and going after what you believe is morally right. Together with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Lewis has launched Ignite, a joint charitable initiative to support greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport.
Lewis is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) for motorsports. He came up through karting (as did all drivers), but with a difference – he and his father, Anthony Hamilton, were the only Black people on the track. To say that they were not treated well is an understatement. Lewis’s father (and his mothers – Carmen Larbalestier and Linda Hamilton – in their own way) were there to support him, and tell him that he could and will succeed. As his father famously told Lewis – “Do your talking on the track.”
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Over the years, it has been obvious that F1 targeted Lewis in their decisions. Recent examples include the enforcement of a rule dating back to 2005 that prohibits drivers from wearing jewellery when driving. It was never enforced until 2022. Lewis is the only driver on the grid that wears a lot of jewellery (Sebastian Vettel actually came out and stated that he felt the FIA was deliberately targeting Lewis).
Now the FIA has a new rule that prohibits drivers from making ‘political and personal statements’ during race weekends. Lewis is outspoken – so they want to shut him up. Several F1 entities have been vocal about their opposition to this, including Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, Helmut Marko, and Lord Paul Scriven, a member of the House of Lords that sent a personal letter to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, stating that he felt Lewis Hamilton was being targeted.
This is Sir Lewis Hamilton – someone we respect on and off the racetrack. He has the greatest support in the world – his family, Toto Wolff (as Mercedes Team Principal and a personal friend), Peter Bonnington (better known as Bono, Senior Race Engineer for Lewis Hamilton, and the voice behind “Hammertime!”), and Angela Cullen (physiotherapist and Lewis Hamilton’s right hand). And we all know that Lewis Hamilton never fails to honor all of the members of the Mercedes team (including those back at Brackley and Brixworth factories).
IMHO, 2023 is going to be a pivotal year. We want to see Lewis Hamilton achieve what he lost – his eighth drivers’ championship. We want to see Mercedes back on top. We know Lewis’s strengths, and we know what he faces with the FIA. Let us all do whatever we can to make this a positive season for Lewis and for Mercedes. Understand what created the Beast on the track (Lewis’s own term for himself). Be one with him when he drives.
Popping more popcorn – the 2023 season is about to commence!
SilverArrows.net Member Bonnie Cehovet is an author and book reviewer. Be sure to visit her website bonniecehovet-author.com!
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SilverArrows.Net.
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