The years 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 are simply the markers that trace the career of one of the most influential and decorated drivers in the history of Formula 1. Why, you may ask?
Lewis Hamilton, a British driver and now one of the oldest drivers on the grid, was able to secure P3 in qualifying, the knock-out sessions held prior to the race to determine the starting grid of the 22 drivers, for the Chinese Grand Prix behind the two Mercedes cars. Hamilton was considered the reigning champion of F1 until the appearance of the Dutch driver Max Verstappen. Their rivalry was at its zenith in 2021 when Verstappen snatched the championship from Hamilton on the very last lap of the final Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, attaining his first ever F1 championship title. Ever since, Hamilton has not only been able to secure his position as a championship contender but also numerous wins and pole positions (a title awarded to the winner of qualifying). While Verstappen was monopolizing the races, achieving four consecutive championship titles, Hamilton decided to move on to Scuderia Ferrari HP from the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, which had awarded six championship titles to Hamilton in the past.
The year 2025 was recognizably the season fans were hoping for the revival of “Hammer time.” Together with Monegasque F1 driver Charles Leclerc, many considered Ferrari to be the “dream team.” Nonetheless, the fans’ excitement became ephemeral as both Hamilton and Leclerc weren’t able to secure any wins among the 24 races in 2025. Even worse, towards the end of the season, Hamilton was going through the yips, consecutively experiencing Q1 exits, meaning he was one of the first six drivers to exit the qualifying sessions.
Just when the fans thought Hamilton’s comeback was, indeed, a pipe dream, he made a great appearance in the 2026 Bahrain pre-season testing, recording P1. Although it wasn’t a race, the result was good enough to prove that he is back near the top of the grid. Fittingly, Hamilton gained 4th position at the first round of the 2026 F1 championship in Australia, which differs by six positions compared to his previous result in Australia. The second round of the season is situated in China. Hamilton attained 3rd position in the sprint race, gaining six points while competing for the championship title. Now, he is aiming for the Chinese Grand Prix as he has an advantage over 19 other drivers behind him on the grid.
When we watch movies, there’s nothing more depressing and tragic than witnessing the fallen king. Whom some may have considered heroes or childhood idols eventually descend from the throne. Sometimes, we just have to carry on and live with the brightest moments of our idols in the past. Yet, even in the most dreadful circumstances, winners always find a way to win. That may be an overassumption for Lewis Hamilton since the race hasn’t even started. Yet, being a 7-time world champion, equaling Schumacher for the most championship titles in F1, is no joke. If Hamilton is able to keep his 3rd position or higher in the Chinese Grand Prix, he will be able to stand on the podium for the first time since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, declaring that he is back in the game that countless fans were waiting for!
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