No one becomes a champion by just ambling along, hoping for it to happen someday. Especially not in a sport as cutthroat as Formula 1. Because of how remarkable achieving that feat even once—let alone seven times—is, Lewis Hamilton is one of the greatest drivers in the history of F1. Accompanying his 7 championships are 103 career race wins and 104 career pole positions. All this over 17 seasons (and counting) in Formula 1. The thing is, Hamilton set his sights on being one of the best, and he did it. But somewhere along the way, he lost sight of what really mattered.

Two weeks ago, Hamilton announced a two-year contract extension with Mercedes—the team that’s been his home for the past decade. Having won six championships and 82 races with the Brackley outfit, the extension was a no-brainer. But as the 38-year-old embarks on another stint with Mercedes, he has a new outlook on life in F1.

Lewis Hamilton is determined to make his journey with Mercedes count

Mercedes dominated F1 for almost eight seasons, from 2014 to 2021. More often than not, it was Hamilton leading the pack in those years. After F1 introduced the 2022 regulation changes, Mercedes dropped the ball. The Brackley outfit squad has won just one race since the start of 2022, courtesy of George Russell. Needless to say, Hamilton & Co. are on the back foot, fighting to get back in front. 

Through Mercedes’ struggles, Hamilton is employing a new approach to F1. Talking to RaceFans before the Singapore GP, Hamilton revealed a regret he has. He said, “I’m just being mindful of—I think in the past, it was more about the destination rather than the journey. And I’m trying to enjoy the journey as we go, the struggles that we’re having, the ups and downs that we have, and just the day-to-day parts of life and being a racing driver.”

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One team can’t keep winning in F1. There will always come a time when it’ll go through a tough phase. Emerging from that phase is what makes the outcome worth it. Hamilton has realized he needs to do just that. Stick with Mercedes through its resurrection—like Toto Wolff said—take it step by step, and enjoy the fight back to the front. With all that Hamilton has revealed is going on behind the scenes, that return to the front is just a matter of time.

Hamilton & Co. are all hands on deck

When Mercedes wasn’t leading the pack in 2022, it came as a shock to almost everyone. That time away from where it wants to be has sparked this desire to get back there. Per a video by The Race, “Hamilton pointed out key observations he’s made behind the scenes at Mercedes, mentioning recalled Technical Director James Allison by name and claiming the team is now ‘engaging better than ever before about where we are, the mistakes we made, why we’ve made those decisions, and why we won’t make them again.’”

“Hamilton says he ‘truly believes if not next year, then the year after’ Mercedes will be ready to challenge for titles again.” It’s clear something significant is happening in Brackley because the seven-time champion also revealed the team has never been hungrier to win. After coming oh-so-close to that record-breaking eighth world title in 2021, Hamilton is determined to win the elusive eighth. He won’t stop until he does.

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What do you think about the new approach Lewis Hamilton has brought to F1? Can Mercedes return to the front in 2025?