EXCLUSIVE: Lewis Hamilton situation clear to Jenson Button as time runs out for F1 title
Lewis Hamilton is a Mercedes driver, and at 39, his time is running out to win an eighth Formula 1 World Championship. Max Verstappen is now leading the pack.
Jenson Button insists. It’s still possible for Lewis Hamilton to win that elusive seventh Formula 1 title.
The British man believed he had accomplished it in 2021, but Max Verstappen controversially won the title in Abu Dhabi. The Dutchman and his Red Bull crew have dominated the past two seasons.
Mercedes, on the other hand, has lagged behind. Due to their difficulties in getting Hamilton and teammate George Russell a vehicle that can rival Verstappen’s, the seven-time world champion has gone more than two full years without a single race win
To add to the 103 Formula One triumphs he has already collected in his incredible Formula One career, it is the obstacle he must first overcome. Hamilton might still be able to dream of an eighth championship that would break all previous records after that.
Button is certain that his former McLaren teammate still has what it takes to succeed if Mercedes can step up their game. The 2009 world champion explained, “When you’ve won for so many years and then suddenly that’s taken away from you, it can work in two different ways.”
“Well, there’s no point anymore, I want to retire, I’ve been at the top for so long, and I haven’t won a race in the last two years,” is how one would put it. However, it can make you more hungry to get back to that, and Lewis is in that position right now, I think.
“In terms of pure speed, Lewis is as good as ever, but he also seems to be much more at ease and assured of his skills these days, which helps him make less mistakes. Therefore, compared to five or six years ago, he is even better now.
“That’s difficult for his competitors. As you can see with Max Verstappen right now, when someone is that strong and self-assured, it’s hard to beat them, so if he gets a vehicle that’s competitive enough to battle for victories, that person will be tough to beat.”
However, Christijan Albers, a former Formula One racer, has noticed indications that Hamilton is becoming impatient with his current circumstances. “At the conclusion of the [2023] season, Hamilton appeared to be quite frustrated. I can also picture that,” he wrote in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“Yes, there have been years when he has defeated everyone, but going without a victory for two whole seasons is going to get to you.” His desire to win grows stronger every day, but he finds it difficult that the Mercedes is not moving more quickly. Then, you are worn out and drained at the end of the year. He hasn’t experienced.
