F1 Hero Lewis Hamilton Takes Credit for Iconic Catchphrase, Unlocking Championship-Winning Move

The Mercedes were on the roll last year, but this season seems to be a tumultuous one. A year later, after Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes, a phrase is regularly heard by the F1 fans on the team’s radio. And now the seven-time world champion reveals what is the secret behind the phrase.

The Silver Arrows seem to struggle with their porpoising issue since the beginning of the season, but after the improved car, they are looking good on the track. Although Russell had a good run this year, it was the Mercedes star, Lewis Hamilton, for whom the fans waited to perform.

Since 2013, there is a phrase that was heard time and again on Mercedes’s team radio. However, it was missing for quite some time now. Recently, in the United States Grand Prix, fans heard Peter Bonnington saying ‘it’s hammer time.’ The statement guaranteed a few lightning-fast laps. During the championship years of Lewis Hamilton, he was indicated by the engineer that he needs to speed up to reach the pit stop for the tire change.

Describing how it become a thing, Hamilton said, “I think I came up with hammer time myself. That comes from a moment when he [Bonnington] told me it was time to push.” He further added, “I got frustrated with that, because I thought ‘dude, I’m already pushing’. But I also told him to say ‘it’s hammer time’ if he wanted to tell me to go all out and really give it my all. That was part of our growth.”

READ MORE: Watch : Bono Explains How Lewis Hamilton Came up With ‘Hammertime’ in F1

Do you know what made Hamilton lose the tempting victory at the Mexican GP? Let’s hear it from the Mercedes team’s strategist about what Hamilton was complaining about.

 Lewis Hamilton complains about the engine issues

Hamilton still has to wait for his first victory in season 2022. The Briton driver was seen complaining about the engine issue for the entire race. The seven-time world champion reported his engine dropout issue on the team’s radio. He said, “I’m still having dropouts of a power man.”

He further added, “I have a power issue.” The higher altitude means the air is thinner and contains less oxygen, making it a challenge to keep cars cool.” The Mexican circuit is 2,200 meters above sea level and Silver Arrows’ chief strategist James Vowles believes the conditions were a major cause and other teams must have faced the same issues.

In a Mercedes debrief video, Vowles said, “We were suffering a little bit with engine cuts, and here is the reason why. You generally map the engine for the conditions it is most used in, which is sea level  that’s where most of the racing takes place.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton Sounds Off the Alarm Bells for Mercedes F1

With two races still left,  the fans will surely want to witness more of such ‘Hammer time’ moments on the track.