After a few months of speculation, Mercedes announced their commitment to continue the fruitful partnership they had with Lewis Hamilton for two more years. The seven-time world champion is one of the sport’s key figures and great talents, but his track record didn’t save him from Jackie Stewart’s criticism.
The three-time world champion claimed that Hamilton had some “serious problems” to overcome as his F1 career progresses in an interview with the German outlet BILD. saying: “he is one of the best to ever drive in Formula 1”.
“But the truth is that in the last decade, he competed with Mercedes for a team that was virtually out of competition.
“During this time, Lewis only had one real competitor – his respective team-mate. Except for 2016, he always emerged victorious from the duel. And then he lost to Nico Rosberg. With respect, a good driver but not the most talented in the world.
Stewart added he believes Hamilton lacks the hunger required as well as not having the machinery needed to fight with Verstappen.
“But Rosberg was hungry and had the absolute will to become world champion. Lewis no longer has that hunger. Because of that, and because the car is no longer quite as powerful, he has serious problems.”
When Hamilton returned to Stevenage earlier this week to meet students as part of his Mission 44 programme to assist in increasing chances for children to pursue STEM careers, he was asked about Stewart’s recent remarks during an interview with BBC Breakfast.
“There are short-minded people who make the comments they do, not knowing the work that’s being done in the background,” said Hamilton.
He insisted that he wants to be an “inspiring” figure to the young talent who doesn’t put them down, especially after making mistakes.
“One thing I hope is that in the future, when I one day stop, and I look at the next driver generation, I encourage them and let them know it’s okay to make mistakes.
“They’re going to make lots of mistakes. I am still going to be making mistakes for many years, so I want to be inspiring rather than shutting them down. That’s the kind of figure that I want to be.
“It’s about being inspiring rather than shutting them down. That’s the kind of figure that I want to be.”
