These are interesting times for millions of Formula 1 viewers. As another season ended, and Max Verstappen emerged champion for a fourth time, the narrative was about Lewis Hamilton. For the Briton to show he still has it in him was evident when he tore up the miles on the track in Abu Dhabi to finish fourth, after starting 16th on the grid. For someone who won seven world championships, six with Mercedes, this, though, was nothing big.
But it was, for Hamilton had almost threatened to quit the last four races as his F1 form was not what he wanted it to be, roar and be on the podium. Racing had become a maelstrom of sorts for the Briton, who has left behind a massive legacy at Mercedes. It will remain unmatched, for no one can produce what Hamilton did. Sport loves characters and this man, at 39, still offers so much.
The next assignment will be even more challenging for Hamilton, as he will be at Ferrari. To be with the Prancing Horse is a dream for most drivers. Indeed, the legacy left behind by German Michael Schumacher is still talked of. This is a role reversal of sorts. When Schumacher was done with Ferrari, he went to Mercedes. Sadly, he could never produce the same kind of performances and fans were upset to see their idol at the back of the grid. A whole generation had fallen in love with Schumacher, intense and passionate in whatever he did. After the late Ayrton Senna, he was, perhaps, the most daring and dashing driver. Wet or dry conditions, the German was the master as he revved up his Ferrari. To win seven world championship titles is part of folklore.
Sadly, Schumacher has not been there since his unfortunate skiing accident 11 years ago. His wife Corina does not want one photo of him leaked as he is not in great shape. One crazy bodyguard had stolen Schumacher’s photos in poor health and tried to sell it. He failed and then hit on the crazy idea of blackmailing the Schumacher family which boomeranged. The crazy bodyguard is facing charges in a court of law, and again, Corina has requested privacy in court, vis-a-vis his medical records.
Back to Hamilton, when he sits in the Ferrari cockpit in the new season, gets strapped and hits the buttons on the steering wheel, he has to revive the Ferrari legacy. It is a big ask, for fans will compare him with Schumacher. High octane F1 is a world of personalities, so despite £50 million-a-year that Hamilton will take home, what fans will want is the same Schumacher appeal, to put the Prancing Horse on the podium. What Hamilton did at Mercedes is history, what he can produce at Ferrari is vital. He will be 40 in January and has a dangerous history of courting disasters. Moving from Britain to a base in Italy, Hamilton is bound to face unfamiliarity. He has already started with lessons in Italian, as grapevine has it.
Forget the emotions, Hamilton is going to be under scrutiny again. Physically and mentally, he is ready for it. His raw speed and control are still menacing. If his performance in the last few seasons at Mercedes was poor, he did not get the right package, as the car is called. This time, at Ferrari, Hamilton has to befriend the entire outfit in the paddock as well as development side, where some of the engineers are still nursing a Schumacher hangover. Can Hamilton help them get over it?