Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton reveals a time when he was not a ‘team player or a team leader’

Lewis Hamilton has been competing at the pinnacle of motor racing since the 2007 season of the sport.


Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton reveals a time when he was not a ‘team player or a team leader’

Lewis Hamilton (Via: Imago)

Lewis Hamilton the seven-time world champion, is one of the biggest names in motorsports. He is easily one of the best to ever step into Formula 1 and with the sport returning after a three-week hiatus, he has taken the time to talk about a moment when he was not a team player or a team leader.

During Lewis Hamilton‘s early 20’s he was full of excitement and enthusiasm. This sometimes led to the Brit’s downfall as he felt that he was quite ruthless in his way of doing things out on the racing track.

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Honestly, right now I feel I’m healthier than I’ve ever been. I’m in such a good place, physically and mentally. My reaction times are still quicker than the young guys – I think I’m a better driver than I was at 22. I was just young, energetic and ruthless, but no finesse, no balance. I didn’t know how to be a team player, how to be a leader.

Lewis Hamilton via The Times

Looking at the reaction of the Brit, he has made it quite clear that when he was 22, he lacked in some key areas. However, at the age of 39, he genuinely feels at par with the young crop of drivers like Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen.

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Lewis Hamilton’s take on being a ‘good racing driver’ in F1

Lewis Hamilton has been competing at the pinnacle of motor racing since 2007. He is one of the most experienced drivers on the modern grid and is also the second oldest behind Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)
Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Being a good racing driver, it’s not just about being fast, it’s about being the most rounded. When I study the legends, they’re spread between small percentages. So, it’s the whole package – what do they speak for, stand for? That’s what I look at. I look to Ayrton Senna and Nelson Mandela, and those are the two people gelled together that I want to be.

Lewis Hamilton via the same interview

Hamilton is into his last campaign with the Mercedes Formula 1 team. He will dawn the iconic red outfit of Ferrari from 2025 onward and several people are eagerly looking forward to it.

The Brit is in the twilight phase of his racing career and his two-year deal with Ferrari could turn out to be his last in the sport. One of Hamilton’s very last goals in F1 is to amass a record-breaking eighth world championship.