Formula 1 can be a sport of very extreme emotions. One day you’re on the top of the whole wide world, and the next you’re down in the dumps. Lewis Hamilton has had an illustrious F1 career dotted with such highs and lows. However, the biggest fall of his career would’ve been during 2021 and 2022. After winning the previous 6 championships in the last 7 years, in 2021, he finally lost the crown. In controversial circumstances, too. Then, in 2022, Mercedes seemingly dropped the ball, finishing P3 in the Constructors’ whilst Hamilton languished in 6th at the end of the season.

Now that the curtain has been drawn on last season and another year beckons, you’d be well within your rights to assume that the 7x Champion would’ve lost his mojo. But the Brit has time and again held that he is back, stronger and more determined to take his crown back. This is exactly what has pulled the heartstrings of ex-McLaren driver David Coulthard.

Coulthard was quoted by GPBlog.com saying, “When he was younger it would’ve been more difficult to do that.” He then gave a very personal sentiment to his thoughts. “I’d still have been complaining. With age comes maturity.” 

He delved into why he thought Hamilton is able to dust himself up, whilst ruing his own youthful F1 career. “The benefit of youth is you don’t know, you don’t know. You’re not scared of anything. As you get older you start to understand the consequences, the maturity enables you to deal with different situations.”

He also compared him to the likes of Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost. “At the end their was always a handshake, a bit like boxers who beat the hell out of each other then they shake hands and cuddle.”

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Motivated as ever, retirement is the last thing on the 7x Champion’s mind right now. That being said, he does have a lot on his plate come the 2023 F1 season.

One major distraction may hamper 2023 title ambitions for Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton knows better than anyone that he needs to focus 100% on the job at hand if he wants to beat Max Verstappen & Co. to his 8th title. However, with the FIA’s newest ban on political statements and the ensuing and imminent tussle between himself and the FIA, this could be the distraction that costs him that title.

But Toto Wolff is playing this very cautiously. He was quoted by Crash.net saying, “We haven’t talked about the political situation because he’s in his off-season and I think it’s important to shield yourself from F1. This is what I’m very much doing, helping to shield. Once he’s back, these things will certainly be discussed with a positive mindset.”

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Mercedes in 2023 is still an unknown quantity. However, with Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel, anything can happen. Can Hamilton do the unthinkable and get his hands on the title next year?