Mercedes presents new car
Hamilton breaks his public silence
02/18/2022 11:27 am
Only the steering wheel remained, everything else is new. With the W13, Mercedes wants to return to the top of Formula 1, the defeat in the season finale still hurts. Lewis Hamilton speaks publicly for the first time since the Abu Dhabi farce.
In his first public appearance in several weeks, Lewis Hamilton spoke of a “difficult time” after the bitterly lost season finale last year. When asked about a possible premature end to his career, he had to smile a little. “I never said I would stop. I love what I do,” said the now 37-year-old Formula 1 record world champion at the presentation of the new Mercedes at Silverstone. Around four weeks before the Grand Prix in Bahrain, he dispelled any remaining doubts about continuing his career.
“It was obviously a difficult period and I needed time to take a step back, time with family, but then there came a point where I wanted to attack again.” Hamilton missed out on the eighth world championship title in the drivers’ championship on December 12 last year when he was overtaken in a dramatic and controversial race on the final lap by rival Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and the Dutchman won the title.
“I had my family around me, it was a great time,” Hamilton explained to the public about his time off after the final and the accolade a few days later. There was also unusual radio silence on social networks after the decisive and highly controversial last kilometer, which gave a bitter note to one of the most exciting World Cup decisions in over seven decades. Verstappen only got the chance to attack in the last lap due to an unusual interpretation of the rules by the race management – and used it. The Dutchman was crowned world champion for the first time, Hamilton went away empty-handed.
Wolff welcomes FIA personnel decisions
As a reaction to the events of the season finale, the world association FIA only made drastic changes on Thursday of this week. The race director Michael Masi, who was responsible for the decisions and repeatedly criticized throughout the season, lost his post. In addition, the future race directors will be supported by a central command center similar to the video assistant in football. Team boss Toto Wolff welcomed the fact that the FIA has drawn consequences after the events in Abu Dhabi. “It is very encouraging to see that action has been taken,” he said. “It was the right step.”
A lot will be different in Formula 1 anyway, the changed regulations will take effect in the new season: the teams had to design completely new cars. “I’ve never experienced such a rule change,” said Hamilton: “This is perhaps the most exciting time of my career, it’s like my first year.” Unlike in the past two years, when Mercedes sent a black car into the race, the W13 is back on the track with a silver finish. The steering wheel is the only element that has been carried over from its predecessor, according to Mercedes.
“We’re starting from scratch again,” emphasized team manager Wolff. “Eight titles, but success from the past doesn’t guarantee anything,” he said, referring to the previous series triumphs in the constructors’ championship. Now he wants to attack world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. “I’ve never seen him more determined,” said Wolff. Compatriot George Russell, brought in by Williams to succeed Valtteri Bottas, will drive alongside Hamilton.