Hamilton cannot be seen anywhere other than Mercedes in 2021

To see him string together poles, victories, and championships in recent years, one would almost have the impression that it’s easy. Yes, Lewis Hamilton driver for the best team on the grid since the introduction of V6 turbo hybrids in 2014 but to summarize his domination with this superior equipment would be an insult to his talent, his seriousness, and his self-sacrifice. 

While his current contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2020, the name of the five-time world champion has regularly been mentioned by Maranello. It seems that a driver's career cannot be considered a success if he does not attempt to take up the Ferrari challenge over which many have lost their teeth (Fernando, Sebastian, we are thinking of you). 

Hamilton seems to not care and indicates that he wants to extend the story with the Silver Arrows at the time when F1 will begin its updating. 

« Nothing is set in stone but I'm having fun right now, he declared ahead of the United States Grand Prix where, barring an improbable combination of circumstances, he should be crowned a 6th time this Sunday. When there is a regulatory change as massive as the one planned, it presents a huge challenge for drivers. You have to know how to use your experience and skills to guide the team and help keep it at the top. 

I don't particularly see myself going anywhere else in 2021. I love being part of Mercedes, representing this team, belonging to this family. I have often repeated: I have been with them since I was 13 (under the colors McLaren-Mercedes, Editor’s note). The idea of ​​continuing to defend the interests of Mercedes, including after the F1 at the level of the Daimler group, seems particularly attractive to me ». 

While waiting for 2021, Hamilton has a championship to complete this weekend in Texas. Despite a comfortable lead of 74 points over his teammate Valtteri Bottas, the Briton refutes the idea that the pressure is different from previous years.  

« Each championship has its own scenario, he added. I won a title in the last round in Brazil (in 2008), I won in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi in a year where the points were doubled (2014) I was also crowned several races before the end. In each case, the feeling is not very different. Anyway, I'm not the type to let pressure overwhelm me. I keep my head in the handlebars and concentrate on my thing ».  

While a 6th crown would bring him within one length of the absolute record of Michael Schumacher, Hamilton also refuses any parallels with his peers, both in F1 and in other sports. 

« I never try to compare myself to anyone, he said. I am inspired by many great champions. Take Tiger Woods for example: everyone said he was lost to the sport, and he came back to the top. What an incredible comeback! That shows you what a special athlete he is. I hope he does a book about his story one of these four, it must be a fascinating story. Serena Williams also experienced more complicated phases in her career but she always came back. I don't compare myself to anyone in the paddock. I'm trying to write my own story ».  

Hamilton already has 10 victories this season, his best mark over a year stands at 11. With three Grands Prix still to go, the Briton can theoretically equal the record for success over a campaign held by Michael Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013)*.

« We are so focused on the job to do that we sometimes forget the number of victories already acquired during a season, concluded the English star. When we take the time to think about this statistic, we inevitably feel good. The guys are working harder than ever. We try to improve every year, to streamline our processes and our communication to achieve good results. It is very gratifying to see that the efforts are bearing fruit ». 

And the harvest is obviously still far from being concluded. 

*The seasons in question included 18 and 19 meetings respectively compared to 21 in 2019