Lewis Hamilton counters Jackie Stewart’s lack of hunger claim, brands criticism as ‘short-minded’

Lewis Hamilton counters Jackie Stewart’s lack of hunger claim, brands criticism as ‘short-minded’

Lewis Hamilton and Jackie Stewart (Credits: IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton found himself in the crosshairs of Sir Jackie Stewart‘s critique, who questioned Hamilton’s hunger for victory. As Hamilton’s dry spell for the victory continued, Mercedes and the Briton extended their contract until 2025. Hamilton returned to Stewart’s criticism, calling the three-time champion ‘short-minded.’

Since the dawn of the 2022 downforce era, Mercedes had been playing catch-up to Red Bull. Their car, the W14, struggled with a design concept that haunted them for over a year and a half. Removing the infamous ‘zero-pod’ configuration didn’t catapult them back to the top. Instead, they grappled with straight-line speed issues and became the second-best car on most tracks during the season.

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Sir Jackie Stewart pointed out that in the last decade, Hamilton’s competition was primarily his own teammates within Mercedes, with only one exception in 2016. Stewart highlighted that Nico Rosberg‘s hunger and determination played a pivotal role in his championship win. He opined, “Lewis no longer has that hunger,” implying that Hamilton’s drive had dimmed due to his multiple championships and the diminished dominance of the Mercedes car. 

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Hamilton responded with a mix of grace and determination. He countered Stewart’s critique by naming him “short-minded” and underscoring the often-unnoticed hard work that served as the basis of his career. Speaking to the BBC Breakfast in an interview, Hamilton said, “There are people who are very short-minded that make the comments that they do, not knowing the work that has been done in the background.”

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Lewis Hamilton wishes to encourage and support young talent post-retirement

Lewis Hamilton with Mission 44 kids
Lewis Hamilton with Mission 44 kids (Credits: Twitter)

Hamilton displayed unwavering optimism, reflecting on the past two years. He acknowledged the absence of success but highlighted the silver lining. He conveyed that despite the challenges, this period had been truly remarkable. Expressing his determination, the seven-time champion said, “When we finally get the car where we need it, I think I’ll be even better equipped than ever.”

The Mercedes man visited his hometown, Stevenage, to support Mission 44 students as they pursue STEM careers. He revealed his aspiration for life post-retirement from active motorsport there. He wanted to be a figure who encouraged young drivers and showed them the path to success wasn’t devoid of setbacks. “It’s about being inspiring rather than shutting them down,” he stated. 

Hamilton is currently chasing the third spot in the standings held by his former teammate at McLaren, Fernando Alonso. Now, Hamilton has performed better than his teammate George Russell, securing four podium finishes this season.

Although Mercedes and Hamilton recognize that they may not be the top contenders in 2024, they aim to position themselves for a strong fight for the 2025 championship. They believe that the challenges they face in the coming years will eventually lead to success.

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