After 16 races in the 2024 season, it has been no secret that the race day is much stronger than qualifying runs for Hamilton.
With two wins this season, both where he did not start on pole, Hamilton says the satisfaction of performing better on Sunday should be visible but does not happen due to his high personal standards and relentless drive to improve.
There are days where he is more forgiving to himself but all his moments, good or bad, have shaped him as the 7-time World Champion and as the person he is today.
He also talked about the importance of accepting constructive criticism which has also shaped him as who he is in difficult times.
The 103-time polesitter has been only on pole once since the ground effect cars came in back in 2022, securing a shock pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix last year.
In 2024, George Russell has tended to get more out of the car in qualifying.
“It should do, but it doesn’t, because that’s what I expected myself. So when I have a good race, I expect nothing less. I don’t know, there’s definitely days where I’m better towards myself.
“But I’m sure it’s like everyone, it’s like a marriage, right? You say things in the heat of the moment you don’t necessarily always mean.
“But I definitely would say that I meant some of the stuff that I said then. I think that’s what shaped me in my whole life.
“I’ve never taken it easy on myself, I’ve always pushed myself. I think learning to be able to take a step back and reflect and then move forwards constructively. That’s what I try to do and what I’m able to do today.”
Six winners in the last 7 races, in which Hamilton won two of them, has shown much unpredictability in the sport which has not been seen for years after the Mercedes and Red Bull domination.
According to the Mercedes driver, this is the kind of racing that is needed on a more regular basis where multiple teams and drivers can win.
The title has only been decided once at the final round since that extraordinary 2012 season, coming at Abu Dhabi in 2021.
“Oh it’s amazing. This is how it should be. I think that’s ultimately probably the goal when they set the rules, but it never works out that way.
“It’s great that we’re finally in that phase, where McLaren have had a great rise. I don’t know where you see the Ferrari win in the last race, us before that.
“So hopefully in these next eight races, hopefully you’ll see something more like that and I hope it stays consistent for a long, long time.
