SUMMARY
- Lewis Hamilton's journey began at age 9, expressing his Formula 1 aspirations to McLaren's Ron Dennis.
- Hamilton's career highlights include his 2008 championship win, making history as F1's first driver of African descent.
The Hertfordshire-born British driver Lewis Hamilton has come a long way to achieve Formula 1 royalty with a mature display of ambition. He approached McLaren team principal Ron Dennis at nine years of age, driven by a fierce ambition for success. This coincidental meeting, triggered by a young boy’s unwavering will, impressed Dennis sufficiently to set up the foundation for a future partnership.
That foundation was strengthened four years later when Hamilton joined the driver development program at McLaren. His relentless pursuit of his childhood dream pushed him to join the Formula 3 team of the British outfit, simultaneously securing a coveted spot on their 2007 F1 driver line-up. This landmark achievement cemented his place in history as one of the youngest drivers ever to sign an F1 contract.
Lewis Hamilton: McLaren dream ignited at age 9
The 39-year-old driver had an exciting debut season, it showcased both his raw talent and his emotional strength. 2008 marked a pivotal year for Hamilton. At the young age of 23, he conquered the pinnacle of motorsport, claiming his first coveted world championship title. However, this title has been challenged by Felipe Massa in the previous season.
Et si… Lewis Hamilton n’avait pas eu l’aplomb d’aller voir Ron Dennis quand il avait 9 ans…
« Hi. I’m Lewis Hamilton. I won the British Championship and one day I want to be racing your cars. »
Aujourd’hui en route vers un 7e titre de champion du monde 😳😳😳 #CroireEnSoi pic.twitter.com/ml4e09Iwt7
— Lesly Boitrelle (@LeslyBoitrelle) August 31, 2020
But way before earning his first ever title, the British sensation had aspirations like any other young boy who hopes to make it into Formula 1. During his meeting with the McLaren boss, Hamilton stated, “Hi. I’m Lewis Hamilton. I won the British Championship and one day I want to be racing your cars.” In response, Dennis wrote, “Phone me in nine years, we’ll sort something out then.”
His series of victories not only solidified his position as a rising star but also made him the first driver of African descent to win in F1 history, forever changing the face of the sport. The subsequent years were a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges. His last title win was in the 2020 season. Although Hamilton wishes to achieve his record-breaking eighth title, he has couple of dry campaigns since the 2021 controversy.
Dutch pundit revealed brutal Hamilton ‘past his prime’ verdict
The 7x champion faced criticism after a sluggish start to the 2024 season. With just 10 points in four races, Hamilton sits a disappointing ninth in the driver standings. This slump has sparked concerns about his future, particularly as he prepares to join Ferrari next year. Former F1 driver Michael Bleekemolen believes Hamilton may be “past his prime.”
📰: Dutch racing pundit Michael Bleekemolen believes Lewis Hamilton is past his prime and doesn’t see much point in him anymore, suggesting Hamilton’s move to Ferrari won’t result in an eighth World title. Bleekemolen acknowledges Hamilton’s past achievements but doubts he’ll… pic.twitter.com/jInRr4Crur
— F1 Naija (@f1_naija) April 15, 2024
According to Bleekemolen, “It’s all just so bad. I think he’s past his prime. Maybe he will end up in the top two or three again, that could just be possible. That won’t be easy, but it would be nice. I just don’t think it’s going to happen.” He questions Hamilton’s mental state and doubts his ability to fight for the title again, even at Ferrari.
A move to Ferrari could land Hamilton back on the podium, but Bleekemolen believes an eighth title is out of reach. The competition at the Maralleno based outfit will be fierce, with Charles Leclerc, a top qualifier and race winner, as teammate of the Briton. However, his current form raises questions about his ability to compete at the highest level.