Exclusive: As Lewis Hamilton prepares to compete for Mercedes one last time, Damon Hill and David Coulthard look back on everything the seven-time Formula 1 champion has accomplished both on and off the circuit.
Lewis Hamilton will wave the Mercedes banner for the last time on Sunday.
After 12 years, six championships, 245 races, 84 wins, and 78 poles, the 39-year-old concludes an extraordinary Silver Arrows career at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In the upcoming season, the seven-time Formula 1 champion will embark on a new journey with Ferrari.
According to fellow British drivers Damon Hill and David Coulthard, both the driver and the team face significant challenges ahead. Hill, the 1996 champion, remarked, “There was a time when it appeared unimaginable for Lewis Hamilton to drive for any team other than McLaren. Now, it seems equally unimaginable that he is departing from Mercedes to join Ferrari.
“However, following a record-breaking and dominant period, the excitement has waned for Mercedes, and Hamilton is embarking on a new chapter, which is quite thrilling. Mercedes must find a way to redefine their identity without Hamilton, and Hamilton must do the same without Mercedes. This transition will undoubtedly be challenging for Mercedes.”
Six of Hamilton’s seven championship titles were secured while driving a Mercedes, as the Silver Arrows and their star driver ruled the sport for many years. No driver in the history of F1 has achieved as many championships with one team.
While they have experienced significant success on the track, Hamilton and Mercedes have accomplished even greater things beyond it. Mercedes fully supported Hamilton’s personal quest to leverage his status to advocate for increased diversity and inclusion within motorsport.
In Hill’s view, it represents a legacy that holds as much significance as the numerous trophies earned throughout that period. He stated: “Lewis has transformed the sport with his strong individualism and his unwillingness to be limited by uniform ‘one size fits all’ marketing requirements.
Mercedes deserves recognition for fully supporting and partnering with Lewis on his remarkable spiritual journey as the only Black driver in F1, championing racial equality with pride and determination. This accomplishment stands as a team success that may hold more significance than any of their numerous victories.
Hamilton’s future is unclear as he moves to Ferrari, aiming for an eighth title before he retires. However, his recent qualifying performances have sparked doubts about whether he is still at his best, especially after he expressed concern in Qatar last weekend, stating that he is “definitely not fast anymore.”
Damon remains uncertain that Hamilton has peaked, however, and remarked: “Some people are claiming that, at 39, his finest days are past him.” I do not consider that to be accurate. I truly anticipate witnessing the magic that could unfold at Ferrari. However, if they truly support him, then the Lewis Hamilton-Mercedes period will undoubtedly be recognized as one of the most remarkable success narratives in our sport’s history.
Currently, F1 boasts a legion of worldwide fans, making it simpler than ever for drivers to achieve household recognition. However, Hamilton was already a celebrity well before Netflix launched Drive to Survive, and Coulthard attributes some of that to his accomplishments during his active racing career.
The Scottish commentator remarked that Lewis Hamilton elevated the sport prior to Liberty Media’s efforts to popularize it in the United States. The vastness and potential for expansion in America have always represented a pinnacle for many. Hamilton had already garnered a significant following and fan base in the country, and through his exceptional performance on the track and his commendable sportsmanship—characterized by a lack of controversy surrounding his conduct—he has contributed to a more interconnected world.
He has inspired individuals from diverse backgrounds to believe that with dedication and talent, they can realize their aspirations. Hamilton is deserving of his knighthood, and in my opinion, he merits any further honors that may be bestowed upon him in recognition of his contributions both on and off the racetrack. If one were to create a square in his honor, it should undoubtedly be named Sir Lewis Hamilton Square.
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