As the 2023 season finale in Abu Dhabi draws to a close, rumors swirled about a possible dramatic switch to Red Bull. But Lewis Hamilton, determined to set the record straight, sat down with Bild am Sonntag, a major German newspaper, to quash the speculation.
“Those rumours are not true,” declared the 38-year-old, with the firmness of a man who has navigated the turbulent waters of F1 fame for years. He disclosed, “I haven’t spoken to Christian (Horner) for a long time. And I often talk to Fred (Vasseur) in the paddock because we’ve known each other for a long time.”
Reflecting on his lifelong allegiance to Mercedes, Hamilton emphasized, “But I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13. There was never a question of whether I would continue here.” The Mercedes stalwart, who recently inked a new two-year deal, shared his philosophy: “Going to another team with a good car because you don’t win has zero appeal for me. Winning in a car that has been a winning car for a long time doesn’t feel like an achievement.”
With the conviction of a true champion, Hamilton recounted his journey with Mercedes, marked by both triumphs and trials. “It’s easy to walk away when things are difficult. But I’ve never done anything like that,” he asserted. “I’ve always been there through thick and thin. I never considered leaving because the car wasn’t good enough.”
After a spectacular run of success, Hamilton experienced a jolt in 2022, finishing sixth overall. This year, he appears set to secure a third-place finish. When pondering his chances of clinching another championship, Hamilton chuckled, “I don’t know if it really works that way. I don’t believe in trends. I believe in hard work.”
The conversation then turned to the challenges facing Mercedes, particularly with their ‘ground effect’ cars. Hamilton’s response was candid: “Let’s put it this way. We are currently not where we need to be.”
Speculation abounds about whether Hamilton will retire if he doesn’t clinch an eighth title. His reply was thoughtful yet noncommittal: “I don’t know,” he paused. “And I don’t like planning the ending. I don’t know when that will be yet.”
Drawing an analogy to gamblers in a casino, Hamilton mused about the timing of departure from the sport. “You have to leave when you’re at the top. But I haven’t decided yet if it’s something I’m going to do. I want to get back to the top first. But that could take time.”
Addressing the rumors linking him to Red Bull and Ferrari, Hamilton shared his broader perspective on life and racing. “Life is not just about winning – about coming first,” he insisted. “I don’t even really miss it.”
He concluded by discussing Mercedes’ current standing and his approach to problem-solving. “We started this season with a car that was maybe the fourth best in the field. Perhaps finishing ahead of Ferrari can also be a victory for us as a team.” He added with a laugh, “Unfortunately in this sport it takes a little longer.”
As the interview wrapped up, Hamilton shared his plans for the off-season, saying, “I haven’t really thought about it yet and I’m trying not to think about it yet. I don’t want to think about racing for as long as possible, that’s how it is at this point in the year. In February, the worries and the stress will start again.”
