Lewis Hamilton’s “Lucky Charm” Shoots 4-Word Message to Him Before Final Confrontation With Arch-Rival Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton seems to have a lucky charm in almost every race weekend. And while that “lucky charm” has been his rumored love interest, Shakira, for the past few months, the seven-time champion had a new lucky charm this weekend at the Hungarian GP. For the first time in its broadcast history, F1—in collaboration with Sky—is having a children’s broadcast on Sky UK and Sky Deutschland, presented by children. And one of Sky UK’s F1 Juniors was Hamilton’s lucky charm.

Zac, a young go-karting Brit, has looked up to Lewis his entire life. And for the Hungarian GP, he was given the opportunity to be one of the kid presenters. On Media Day on Thursday, Zac got to meet Lewis and talk to his idol, but his weekend only got better because not only did his hero get pole position, but Zac also got to give the Pole Position Award to Hamilton.

Hamilton in the W14 was looking fast throughout Saturday, and when he had to deliver, he ensured he did. With only two personal best sectors on his final flying lap in Q3, the Briton pipped his rival Max Verstappen by only 3 milliseconds. Needless to say, Hamilton was ecstatic. And when Zac went over to give him the award, Hamilton said to him, “Oh, mate, you’ve become the lucky charm.”

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After the customary photograph, Zac said to Lewis while parting, “You’re going to win!” As Verstappen lines up second on the grid for Sunday’s race, the Hungarian GP would be the first time the two will share the front row since that 2021 night in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen came out on top last time out, but Zac (and the Mercedes camp) would hope Lewis does this time. The question is: Do Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have the pace to keep Verstappen at bay?

Is there a chance Lewis Hamilton could get his 104th win in Hungary?

The Hungaroring is one of Lewis Hamilton’s favorite tracks—his record eight wins here prove the fact. Per data collected on Friday, Mercedes didn’t look like it had a good short-run pace, but Hamilton’s pole proved otherwise. With his record-extending 104th pole, he’s aiming for a record-extending 104th win. But not just that. If he wins on Sunday, he’ll become the first driver to win at one venue 9 times. And, well, Mercedes does look like it has the race pace to hold on.

Considering Verstappen and Red Bull have struggled to find good balance this weekend, Hamilton would want to take advantage of the fact and do what he can to stay ahead of his rival going into Turn 1. Considering overtaking is quite challenging at the Hungaroring, and with Mercedes’ good race pace, Hamilton could have a good chance of converting his pole to a win. 

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Could Lewis Hamilton become the first driver to break Red Bull’s reign this season and deny the Milton-Keynes team a record-breaking 12th win in a row?