Hamilton told whether he’s ‘lost it’ with F1 motivation in spotlight

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A rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton has been backed to challenge for the title again in 2023 after an improved finish to the season. The Mercedes man endured a torrid start to F1’s new era, only managing one podium finish in the first eight races and notably failing to make it out of Q1 in Saudi Arabia.

But he picked up his form in the latter part of the season, although despite being on the podium eight more times failed to register a Grand Prix win for the first time in his career. The only race victory for the Silver Arrows went to George Russell, who led Hamilton home in a one-two in Brazil.

The seven-time world champion ended the season in P6, his lowest finish in all his 16 campaigns. And the sheer pace of Red Bull and Max Verstappen leaves Mercedes with ample work to do to breach the gap and launch a Championship challenge next time around.

Hamilton’s motivation was questioned by critics last season, even fuelling rumours he would walk away from the sport before his contract expired. But now Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel has backed the 37-year-old to push for an unprecedented eighth world title.

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“The motivation was not there for a while, the preparation was maybe not top and he had to take stock of the competition,” Coronel wrote, in FORMULE 1 magazine. “However, then not hitting the sweet spot does not mean you have lost it – as he has underlined in the second half of the season.”

“It is clever how he has recovered, and that he now wants to continue even longer. Because with him you could easily think: you’ve seen it anyway, what do you still have to prove? So that drive is there and that is unprecedented, because he doesn’t have to do it for money, fame or unfinished business.”

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And Coronel added he thinks Hamilton will race next year regardless of his title prospects: “He just wants that eighth title and even if it stays far away next year, Hamilton has more chance of becoming champion than someone winning the State Lottery. Again: clever.”

At the season finale in Abu Dhabi, it was Hamilton who organised the farewell dinner for another F1 icon in Sebastian Vettel. He’s since expressed his wish for the occasion to become an annual event for drivers.

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