A great weight has lifted off Lewis Hamilton and he could make it two in a row in Hungary, writes JONATHAN McEVOY… while F1 reacts to Ralf Schumacher coming out as gay
- Hamilton was defiant after his Silverstone win that he's not close to calling time on challenging at the very top of the sport
Lewis Hamilton’s mojo is back and he’s coming to a track he’s conquered eight times. That is what his victory at Silverstone did for him a fortnight ago, his ninth win there transporting himself to cloud nine.
Afterwards, as he revealed on Thursday ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, he stayed in his west London house the night of his win before 164,000 delighted British fans. A curry for him and a few friends. He’s 39 and home comforts suited him just fine that night.
A great weight, it was clear by his demeanour and his words, has lifted. Suddenly, doubts that crowded in on him over the two-and-a-half years he spent without a win have dissipated, and there is a chance he will roll with the momentum.
And his Mercedes car is suddenly on a par, or thereabouts, with Red Bull and McLaren. Hats off to Hamilton, George Russell and their team for that. And to boss Toto Wolff after it seemed to their long streak of dominance was in danger of terminal decline.
Of his Silverstone win, Hamilton said defiantly: ‘Hopefully it is a reminder that I am not done.’
Winning the British Grand Prix may have been exactly what Lewis Hamilton needed to get his mojo back
The seven-time world champion has seen a great weight lifted from his shoulders with the win
Hamilton has been full of emotion and re-energised since claiming the victory at Silverstone
On Thursday he couldn’t stop talking. In previous recent weeks he has been taciturn, and occasionally prickly with Russell as they have sat by side. The change is night and day.
A lot of emotion poured out of him. ‘I wouldn’t say I have done a huge amount in the sense of celebrating. I flew back, not in disbelief, but proud. I got back to London, stayed in and watched the highlights.
‘Next day I went for a run around Hyde Park with the biggest smile that I have ever had. That moment felt incredibly special on its own, but Silverstone and the fans make the whole difference.’
Hamilton embraced his father Anthony after claiming his 104th win. They held a long embrace, some 20 seconds. ‘Every now and then he says something really real and we talk a lot,’ said Lewis of his dad.
‘Through the times there were moments where you feel embarrassed you let people down, so it was good to experience the win with those I have grown up with. A lot of people felt it and that wasn’t something I had fully thought of or appreciated so it was a real good reminder as to how much love and support there is.
‘We will see over the course of the year. I would say my body language and energy has shifted in this past week, but I am still me and unsure of what is ahead, and preparing in the best way. It shows that anything is possible, and you must keep going. There will be turbulence ahead I am sure but the possibility of good days, too.
The 39-year-old shared a long hug with his father Anthony after winning on home soil
The last time that the Mercedes driver won a race was at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021
‘Every weekend has been the ultimate test of sheer willpower in the team and persistence. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and that is key in our approach. But, also, we are like f*** it, it is game on. ‘We are fighting, and we are chasing and we want to compete for as many wins as possible.’
At last, Hamiton and Mercedes are playing their part in what is turning out into a decent season. I still very much doubt anyone can overhaul Max Verstappen – he’s too good and has a head start – but at least every race is alive. And I have a sneaking suspicion a revitalised Lewis will claim victory here on Sunday.
Formula One: open for everyone
Ralf Schumacher has announced he is in a relationship with a man. Which, frankly, did not strike the paddock as shock of the millennium.
The 49-year-old, who was married to Cora Brinkmann from 2001 to 2015, revealed his glad tidings on Instagram at the weekend. His 22-year-old son, David, is pleased for the German, who still works for Sky Germany at race weekends.
Lewis Hamilton, a champion of inclusion and diversity, hailed the news of the younger Schumacher brother’s romance but called for more to be done to break down barriers.
Speaking in Hungary, he said: ‘I think It all started from Seb (Vettel and me standing on the grid here, fighting against what the government is doing. And when I was wearing a (rainbow) helmet in Saudi and Qatar, Ralf said it wasn’t a good idea to do those things. Perhaps today he has shifted his mind and even him taking that step sends such a positive message.’
Ralf Schumacher (left) - brother of Michael - came out publicly via his Instagram account
Hamilton brought up Schumacher's feelings on his rainbow helmet in 2021 and wondered if the former driver might have 'shifted his mind'
Asked for a comment, F1 said: ‘It is a very positive thing for the sport and for Ralf that he has announced this news.
‘It shows that F1 has taken big steps forward in inclusivity and diversity and he feels able to be open about his sexuality.
‘We want to keep pushing to ensure everyone feels accepted and welcomed for who they are but we should all be proud of the progress we are making.
‘We want to show everyone that our incredible sport is open to you.’
A hurricane in Hungary
Three races after a fire in McLaren’s paddock motorhome closed it for business, its roof has blown off.
A storm ripped through Budapest on Wednesday afternoon, submerging part of the track facilities. Hasty work by the organisers rebuilt the place and the scorching sun did the rest of the restorative work at 33C.
The only glaring hole left was in the McLaren building with Lando Norris’s media calls transferred outside. He is basing himself this weekend in the team’s engineering hub next door, saying that his old room anyway still smells of the smoke that struck in Spain.
Lando Norris noted that the McLaren building still smells faintly of smoke after the fire at the Spanish Grand Prix
Bernie Ecclestone has given his sharp take on the thwarted assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump
It seems, moving forwards, McLaren could do with a new motorhome or better fitters. The car’s not bad, mind.
Bernie shares publicity tips with Trump
Bernie Ecclestone tells me he thinks Donald Trump surviving an attempted assassination is the perfect publicity.
The former F1 chief how to turn these events to advantage. Black-eyed and bruised after being mugged in London 14 years ago, he staged a photo shoot with F1 backers, the Swiss watchmaker Hublot.
Along with his fizzog on the advert the stunt produced, the words: ‘See what people will do for a Hublot.’
