The question has been asked all week long and once again Lewis Hamilton was ready to answer it. “I do believe that everyone here racing comes to win,” he said when asked whether a crash between he and rival Max Verstappen could decide the destination of the Formula One drivers’ title. “I would like to believe everyone wants to do it the right way – I don’t even let that creep into my mind.”
One of the great title battles in years is set to come down to one, winner-takes-all race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix today. For Verstappen it would be a first title, for Stevenage-born Hamilton it would be a record-breaking eighth.
In his youth, as Hamilton moved up the rankings of competitive go-karting his father, Anthony, told him: “Always do your talking on the track.” There is little doubt that Hamilton has done that. He is currently in his 15th consecutive season with at least one race win (a record shared with Michael Schumacher), a run started when he chalked up a record-equalling four during his debut season in 2007. Finishing second in the championship that year, he would take the first of his titles in 2008.
Having raced a total of 287 times in F1 (so far) Hamilton holds the records for most race wins (103) and most podium finishes (181) and was given a knighthood for “services to motorsports” in the New Year honours for 2021 (that award was part of the overseas and international list, thanks to Hamilton residing in Monaco).
Esta historia es de la edición December 12, 2021 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 12, 2021 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
GONE... IN A FLASH!
Oliver Keens misses mob rule when randoms would gather in public to sing, dance or stand still, a great British tradition of silliness that is up there with gurning and gravy wrestling
'I had a very high tolerance for all his salacious stories'
Novelist Rose Boyt talks to Fiona Sturges about living in the shadow of her ‘genius’ father Lucian Freud – and how writing about their relationship has helped her to make peace with it
There's a good reason no one sends postcards any more
When I was a child, we used to go to Llandudno on holiday, and almost every shop had a rotating postcard display outside.
The UK recognising the state of Palestine is long overdue
Palestinian self-determination is the key to a just peace in the Middle East.
Arum-scarum after a savage rivalry reaches new heights
The Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall rematch was worth the wait, and late on Saturday night in front of boxing’s most fearsome wall of fans, they fought to a standstill in Leeds.
Round in circles: a race that even its drivers find boring
The Monaco Grand Prix appeals to high-rollers but on a track where overtaking is impossible the entertainment factor is zero, finds Kieran Jackson who turns to solutions
'Promised land' replaced by ticking timebomb of issues
Rather than joining the Premier League, Leeds may have to raid it for fringe players in the next Championship campaign
Fight but no light for Nadal in likely French Open adieu
The prolonged closing chapter of greats, particularly in an arena as inconsistent and undependable as professional sport, is a true tribulation of the mind.
Broadband rollout plan for 2.7 million homes and firms
Openreach has announced plans to build full fibre broadband in over 500 more locations across the UK, covering a further 2.7 million homes and businesses.
Powder keg: Indian spices linked to cancer pesticide
Two of the most popular Indian spice brands MDH and Everest are facing global scrutiny after Hong Kong, Singapore and Nepal suspended sales of their spice blends last month.