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Why Lewis Hamilton has suddenly become dangerous again in F1Drivers need many ingredients to be successful in Formula 1.
In Formula 1, drivers require a multitude of elements to be successful, such as talent, patience, skill, knowledge, a fast car, and luck. However, one of the most crucial factors is mentality, and Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, exemplifies this.
With Mercedes now back to being consistently competitive, Hamilton’s earlier slump is more apparent, but he’s overcome it and is poised to be a formidable contender in his final ten races with the team.
Here’s an exploration of why Hamilton is back in dangerous form.
Hamilton has always been outspoken in his admiration for his team, frequently praising the men and women at Mercedes’ factories during post-race interviews, especially when testing upgrades. However, his comments following the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were particularly telling.
Despite securing enough points with teammate George Russell to ensure Mercedes finished second in the World Championship, Hamilton’s ninth-place finish left him feeling drained. His remark about 2023 being marked by “survival” hinted at his mental and physical exhaustion.
Hamilton’s post-race reflections highlighted his concerns. He noted the significant gap to Red Bull, who had ceased development since August, signaling his skepticism about Mercedes’ ability to bridge this gap over the winter. This uncertainty was compounded by the announcement of his move to Ferrari during the summer break and Russell’s dominant performances, which left Hamilton feeling overshadowed.
At one point in 2024, the qualifying duel stood at 8-1 in Russell’s favor, leading Hamilton to doubt he would outqualify Russell again that year.
Yet, he has since disproven this belief.
The turning point for Hamilton came with a competitive Mercedes car upgrade during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Initially, the results seemed circumstantial due to unique conditions and underperformance from rivals. Despite this, the significance of the upgrade became clear as Hamilton’s form improved dramatically.
He started scoring consistently, breaking a nearly 1,000-day win drought at Silverstone and delivering strong performances across various Grand Prix weekends.
Hamilton’s resurgence is marked by his consistent high scores and near-faultless races. For instance, his performance in Belgium, despite benefiting from Russell’s disqualification, was a testament to his revived competitive spirit. This change is reflected in race ratings, where Hamilton’s scores improved significantly post-upgrade.
His ability to consistently score points, along with Max Verstappen, highlights his reliability, but his post-summer break form has always been noteworthy.
In previous years, strong finishes have often been a hallmark of Hamilton’s seasons, whether it was challenging Verstappen in 2021 or taking control of the Championship in 2017 and 2018.
While the Mercedes car has undoubtedly improved, Hamilton’s mental and confidence reset has been pivotal.
His post-summer break form, coupled with the team’s advancements, suggests he will be a significant threat in the remaining ten races of the season. Although a title push is unrealistic, securing third or even second place in the World Championship is a plausible goal.
In summary, Hamilton’s return to form is a combination of a competitive car and a renewed mental state.
His ability to overcome a challenging period and come back stronger underscores why he remains one of the most dangerous drivers in Formula 1.
As he approaches his final races with Mercedes, Hamilton’s presence on the track is a reminder of the importance of resilience and mental strength in achieving success in the sport.
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