Lewis Remember Who You Are

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Formula One Team

Lewis Hamilton has finally won his first Grand Prix for Ferrari. It was one of those moments that really I believe transcends the sport. It’s a story about how persistence, even when everything goes against you even when you doubt yourself and your abilities the only thing you have to do is dig even deeper and  never forget why you fight that success is rarely imminent.

But lets start from the race itself Hamilton lined up from p2 behind Russell. At the start of the race Russell led from pole Mercedes looked unbeatable and set to take an easy win. Everyone committed in to the 3 stop but Ferrari took a gamble with Hamilton they went for the 2 stop they were rewarded for their gamble because when Alonso retired they benefited from the virtual safety car allowing Lewis to keep the first place and maintain a small gap to the Mercedes. At the restart Russell tried to hunt him down but Hamilton managed to shake off this attack with the help of his new race engineer Carlo Santi who has become the new voice in the ear of Hamilton and providing him with clear communication, Hamilton even refers to him as his Italian Bono. As the laps counted down Hamilton led away from the chasing pack delivering devastating times lap after lap reminding everyone of his old formidable self that broke every record in Formula 1. When he crossed the finish line the emotions were impossible to hide, it was not another race win it was the realization of a childhood dream to win a Grand Prix wearing Ferrari red. Hamilton later described the moment as one he will never forget thanking his family, the team and the fans for supporting him.

What makes this win so special is that for the past two years the F1 world had given up on him even he gave up on himself, last year Hamilton even called himself useless and on many occasions where things didn’t work out he questioned himself if he was still able to compete at the highest level and deliver the magic he was known for if age had finally caught up with him that at 41 his best days are behind him. But in Italy last year he heard something that renewed his faith when he was signing autographs a fan was heard shouting “Lewis Remember Who You Are”, he referred to it on his interviews that it was good to have that and be reminded of that. This year he has adapted on the new regulations and his new environment on Ferrari starting to once again feel comfortable finding his rhythm and getting more podiums. Last Sunday when he over-cut the Mercedes it wasn’t a 41 year old coasting to retirement it was one of the greatest of all time making a comeback. As he crossed the finish line it was proof that greatness never disappears, Hamilton achieved a goal that many thought might never happen and in doing so he erased the doubts from everyone’s mind and maybe even his own it showed that setback's don’t define a person it’s how they respond to them.

With his persistence and the help of his fans Lewis Hamilton remembered who he is and in doing so he made history again this time in red.

Fun fact: Lewis Hamilton’s first win as Ferrari came at the same circuit as Michael Schumacher’s for Ferrari 30 years ago.

By Paul Kontogeorgos.