Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Ruthless’ Side: A Necessity for ....

Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Ruthless’ Side: A Necessity for ….read

Success in Formula 1 requires more than just talent—it demands a ruthless edge, and Lewis Hamilton is no exception. That is the assertion made by Red Bull senior mechanic and author Calum Nicholas, who believes that a “nice guy” approach alone is not enough to become a great in the sport.

Hamilton, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished drivers in F1 history, holds several major records, including most race wins (105), pole positions (104), and podiums (202). His seven World Championships place him alongside Michael Schumacher at the top of the all-time list. However, former F1 driver and 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard recently suggested that Hamilton’s dominance has come with minimal controversy, setting him apart from other legends like Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.

In an interview with PlanetF1.com, Coulthard praised Hamilton’s approach, describing his racing style and championship victories as remarkably clean. “Lewis’ legacy as a grand prix driver, as a winning machine, as a World Champion, is one you dream about for your son or daughter,” he said. “Michael and Ayrton had a lot of controversy through their careers, and I say that with tremendous respect for both of them. With Lewis, there have been very few of those moments.”

However, Nicholas strongly disagrees with the notion that Hamilton reached the pinnacle of the sport without displaying ruthlessness. Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, he dismissed the idea that a driver can succeed in Formula 1 without having a cutthroat mindset.

“The idea that you can go and compete at that level and win and not be ruthless, that’s a fallacy,” Nicholas stated. “If you want to win at this level and be that good and compete… these are all great race drivers. If you want to beat them, you have to find something extra. And being ruthless is a necessity in that situation.”

He pointed to various moments in Hamilton’s career that highlighted this trait, particularly during his intense battles for championships. One such example was his debut title-winning season in 2008, where he had to fend off stiff competition to become the youngest World Champion at the time. Another was his infamous rivalry with former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. The duo’s battle for supremacy led to several heated exchanges on and off the track, culminating in Rosberg clinching the 2016 title after a hard-fought and often controversial season.

“Throughout that year with Nico Rosberg, you know, ultimately, Nico came out on top because he did what he had to do,” Nicholas continued. “It wasn’t popular. There were tense moments in the garage because of it. But ultimately, that’s what champions do—they do what they need to do to win.”

He also criticized the idea that drivers should always prioritize sportsmanship over winning, arguing that success in F1 comes down to making the tough decisions when required. “To bash that and say, ‘Oh, well, you could have been a bit kinder here’—come on, man, we’re here to win,” Nicholas emphasized. “I’m not here to make friends. Sometimes, it’s nice to have friends and for people to appreciate you. But ultimately, if you’re not here to win, and that nice guy persona is more important to you, then you’re not going to win.”

Hamilton’s mentality and determination remain key talking points as he prepares for a major career shift. After more than a decade of unprecedented success with Mercedes, he will leave the team at the end of 2024 to join Ferrari in 2025. The move is set to shake up the grid, as Hamilton aims to challenge Red Bull’s dominant force, Max Verstappen, who has claimed the last four World Championships and is on track for a fifth.

As Hamilton transitions to Ferrari, his ability to maintain his edge and go head-to-head with Verstappen will be crucial. Whether he continues to showcase the same ruthless streak Nicholas describes could determine whether he adds an eighth World Championship to his legendary career.