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After 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Formula 1 world champion is Lewis Hamilton for the seventh time. Only Nico Rosberg (2016) had stopped the British from advancing in the era of the turbo hybrid. Only Michael Schumacher had won seven titles so far, which a visibly shaken Hamilton recalled at the time of his victory in Istanbul. “I remember when Michael won all these titles,” said the 35-year-old. “I dreamed about it when I was young. This now exceeds my dreams.” After all, it was precisely those dreams of a five-year-old go-kart beginner that finally pushed the limits in motorsports.
As the son of an immigrant from Granada and an English woman, Hamilton grew up in relatively simple circumstances, which are poor prerequisites for dreaming of a Formula 1 career. Father Anthony was his first “godfather.” He took up to four jobs at the same time to enable Little Lewis’s expensive hobby. “He gave it all for me,” Lewis never tires of emphasizing. The fact that his half brother Nicolás was in a wheelchair at an early age due to infantile cerebral palsy made the family’s situation more difficult.
Lead footprint
Lewis Hamilton’s annual salary, which is now € 50 million, has long erased his financial worries from the table, but the imprint of his origins has remained. For one, she gave dusty Formula 1 a makeover with flashy outfits, idiosyncratic hairdos and her “bling-bling gold jewelry,” which is unusual in the paddock. His forays into the world of music or specially created clothing line fit the picture.
On the other hand, Hamilton increasingly uses his growing popularity for socio-political issues. This year he got Mercedes to paint the “Silver Arrows” black in support of the “Black Lives Matter” movement. As he passed, the drivers, kneeling before the races, set an example in the fight against racism and police violence. Previously, he had campaigned for climate protection.
It is becoming increasingly clear that today’s most complete racing driver defines his legacy less in terms of victories. He underlined it yesterday in Istanbul. “The title of driver does not necessarily have an impact on people’s lives,” he reflected after his 94th Grand Prix. That is why he wants to help end prejudice against minorities.
It was a long and hard road for him to become the first black driver in Formula 1. “When I was younger there was no one in this sport who looked like me.” So it was easy to think that it was impossible for him to reach that level. But he didn’t let that put him off. “For all the kids who dream of the impossible, they can,” he said.
Wolff radiates confidence
If Hamilton still needs the Formula 1 stage for his goals, he is currently open. His contract expires after this season and negotiations with Mercedes are ongoing. “Lewis is right in the middle of his job,” team boss Toto Wolff told “Sky.” “And I think there will be something more.”
In the “Silver Arrow”, Hamilton would probably have the best cards to become the only record world champion and thus live up to his motto “Still Rising” (“always higher”).
Vettel’s first podium
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel achieved a break in Istanbul in third place behind Hamilton and Sergio Pérez (Racing Point): it was the podium of the first season for the four-time world champion. Lance Stroll, who won the first pole position at Racing Points, had to settle for ninth place. Hamilton’s colleague at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas, was unable to cope with the rainy conditions and only finished 14th after several laps.
Article of
Reinhold Pühringer
Sports editor
