Lewis Hamilton looks and sounds like a man who has had the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders. It just goes to show what a difference a win makes.
Before his incredible home victory at the start of this month, you couldn’t help but wonder whether Hamilton was enjoying this Formula One malarky all that much any more.
Hamilton insisted he was. That he was as hungry as he had ever been. But actions speak much louder than words and they have done so ever since he was controversially denied a record eighth world championship in 2021.
Hamilton contemplated quitting the sport after that episode in Abu Dhabi.
Though he decided not to, his public demeanour since has given little indication he is glad he landed on that decision.
Lewis Hamilton looks and sounds like a man who has had the weight lifted off his shoulders
Hamilton’s demeanour changed after his controversial defeat in the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP
There is no doubting that his frustrations boil down to Mercedes’ dramatic fall from title shoo-ins to fighting to be the best of the rest against the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and even Aston Martin at some stages during the past few seasons.
Even still, so spiky has Hamilton been in recent times that you couldn’t help but wonder whether the stress was worth it. Those comments were almost always served with a side dish of ‘if looks could kill’ too.
The bombardment of questions about his move to Ferrari ever since he announced his blockbuster switch on the eve of this season certainly hasn’t helped his mood.
Suddenly, though, with both Hamilton and team-mate George Russell starting to find some performance from their Mercedes at long last, those questions are far less frequent.
And Hamilton seems to be all the better for it.
It had been a long wait for Hamilton to stand on that top step of the podium again, as he did at Silverstone in remarkable fashion. 945 days and 56 races to be precise.
The tears that flowed afterwards proved the emotional toll it had taken on the 39-year-old. He confirmed those suggestions by confessing that his mental health had taken a knock during his years in the race win wilderness.
Contrast that to yesterday, where Hamilton struggled to keep the smile off his face as he addressed the media in the Mercedes motorhome. He spoke with a rejuvenated glow at his pride of claiming a 200th career podium last weekend in Hungary. After 20 minutes in his company, you couldn’t help but be left with the sense there are plenty more to come.
The Mercedes driver secured first victory in 945 days and 56 races at Silverstone this month
‘I still feel great. I don’t feel older than this one here,’ said Hamilton, perched next to Russell, who is 13 years his junior.
‘I still feel very youthful and energised and driven and love working with the team in the right direction.’
With a twinkle in his eye again, Hamilton seems to be embracing his role as the wise old owl of the grid.
Max Verstappen’s team radio rants in Budapest was not behaviour befitting of a world champion, according to Hamilton.
The 39-year-old also said he harboured no ill feeling towards Lando Norris after a frosty exchange in the cool room post-race last weekend.
‘Well you had it. You had a quick car. You made the most of it. Now it’s us,’ said Norris in response to Hamilton complimenting McLaren’s speed.
Norris has since insisted the whole episode was blown out of proportion.
‘It didn’t bother me, no,’ said Hamilton. ‘I’m nearly 40-years-old but I remember being in my mid twenties and I remember when I go back and look at things that I said that I will say differently or I would have acted differently.
Hamilton struggled to keep the smile off his face ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix
‘I know what it’s like when you come out of a race where you feel like you should have won and your emotions are spiralling. I see that and it’s an age thing. You know, I don’t take it personally.’
Water off a duck’s back. Besides, Hamilton is keen to lap up every last moment of the 11 races he has remaining with Mercedes, starting in Spa this weekend.
‘I couldn’t be any more proud of the people that I work with in this team,’ said Hamilton. ‘I couldn’t be more grateful to them and to Mercedes, they’ve changed my life and were supporting me when I was 13 years of age and giving me the chance to be a Formula One driver.
‘It’s been amazing and we’ve gone through difficult times but we’ve always come out with our heads held high and stayed true to pretty good values.’
