Hamilton “relaxed” in the face of Verstappen, less in the face of the arrival of F1 in Saudi Arabia

While Max Verstappen (Red Bull) approaches the penultimate meeting of the 2021 season of Formula 1 eight points ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in the championship, it was the Englishman who demonstrated an attitude full of serenity at a press conference this Thursday, December 2 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

The seven-time world champion only wants to get back in the car. I feel in great shape,” assures the wearer of number 44, thanks to two authoritarian victories won in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Losail (Qatar).

“This battle for the title is in a sense different from all the previous ones that I have experienced, pursues the man with 102 victories and poles in F1. Two teams stand in a handkerchief (5 points to Mercedes' advantage over Red Bull in the Constructors' standings. Editor's note) and we are fighting for a reward that would take us into the unknown, because no driver and no team has yet won an eighth title in the sport. »

Lewis Hamilton took the opportunity to slip a slight dig at his Dutch rival, who finds himself for the first time in his career in a position to win the crown. An unprecedented situation for “Super Max” but nothing very new for the title holder. “I have never been so relaxed. I have been in this position for some time now. I remember my state of mind during my first title and today I am more sure of my abilities. I know I can't change the past, so all I can do is prepare myself in the best way possible for what must unfold in the days to come. And I know how to do that. »

Since the Sao Paulo Grand Prix marked by a change of power unit and a penalty erased by a success, the 36-year-old Briton seems to have entered a mode worthy of a war machine. Which the person concerned does not really refute. “Everyone deals with adversity in their life. If you are a competitive person and you believe in your abilities, you will fight against this resistance. I am grateful to have faced various challenges during my career. You have to believe in it, even when everything seems to be going against you, as was the case in Brazil.

I don't think I've reached another level of competitiveness. Maybe I found additional resources in Brazil. But you never stop learning, especially how to pull the team up. It's not just me, but every individual on the team surpasses themselves. » It would therefore be when the pilot reaches the wall that he transcends himself.

Engaged political discourse

Two weeks after brandishing the rainbow colors of the LGBT community in Qatar, a country where the rights of people who are not heterosexual are not recognized, Lewis Hamilton was again questioned by the media on this sensitive subject sexual orientations in Saudi Arabia.

A few minutes after a first unsuccessful question from an Associated Press journalist because he was coldly "nexted" by the presenter of the press conference reserved for reporters, a second question asked by an Anglo-Saxon colleague was successful.

𝙄𝙏'𝙎 𝙍𝘼𝘾𝙀 𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙆! 👊 Ready for the first Saudi Arabian GP! 💪 pic.twitter.com/L2qpzkDfd5

- Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@ MercedesAMGF1) November 29, 2021

“I can't claim to be the most informed and have the deepest understanding of someone who grew up here and is heavily affected by certain rules and the political regime in place. Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn't answer "yes", but it's not my choice to be here. The sport chose to be here and whether it's good or bad, I think while we're here it's important to raise awareness.

For example, I will wear the same helmet as in Qatar until the end of the year. There are changes that need to be made. »

Lewis Hamilton is well aware of the (small) place given to women in Saudi society. “Some women are still in prison for driving many years ago even though the law has allowed them to do so since 2018. There are a lot of changes that need to happen and our sport needs to do more in this direction. »