Lewis Hamilton has questioned whether he still “has it” after a disappointing 2023 with Mercedes.
The seven-time world champion failed to record a single race win for the second season in a row as Max Verstappen continued his dominance in the Red Bull.
It has left Hamilton doubting his ability, but claims those feelings are entirely normal.
Read our other sports news stories here:
Desperate Kompany confident Burnley can beat the drop
Best Football Betting Apps In The UK For 2023
Yorkshire’s Brook lands top award
He told the BBC: “Ultimately when you have difficult seasons like this, there are always going to be moments when you’re like: ‘Is it me, or is it the car? Do you still have it? Has it gone?’
“Because you’re missing that, you know… when the magic happens, when everything comes together, the car and you, and that spark, it’s extraordinary. And that’s what you’re searching for.
“I’m only human. If anyone in the world tells you they don’t have those things, they’re in denial. We’re all human beings.”
Hamilton signed a two-year contract extension in August and, although he admits the lifestyle is getting harder year on year, he insists he’s still motivated to drive at the top level.
“They are frickin’ long seasons. It’s a long time away from everyone. I’ve been doing it 16 years. It’s gruelling,” he said.
“There’s a lot of glitz and glamour and lots of positives but it’s by no means easy to stay at your best, to stay committed, to keep up the training, to continue to deliver. It’s a lot of pressure.
“You’re being scrutinised all the time and I’m in a place in my life where there’s no way I can win.
“If I win a race, it’s: ‘Oh, he’s a seven-time world champion, you got 103 wins.’ If I don’t do well, it’s [criticism]… I can only lose at this point in life. So for sure there was a period of time when I was questioning whether I wanted to go through that.
“[But] I still love driving. I still love getting into the car. When they start the car up and you have all those people around you, the crew, you go down the pit lane, I still get this smile on my face the same as I did the first day I drove.”
