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      ‘Have you still got it?’ – Lewis Hamilton emotionally reveals he fears he’ll never win another F1 title after tough 2022

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed he often doubts whether he still has what it takes to win another Formula 1 world title.The Brit, 38, sits alongside Michael Schumacher as the most decorated racer in the sport’s history with seven championships to his name.
      Lewis Hamilton endured a winless season in 2022 for the first time in his careerCredit: Reuters
      He came within a whisker of a landmark eighth title in 2021, only to be overtaken by Max Verstappen on the last lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi.
      Then last year, Hamilton endured a difficult season as he finished sixth in the standings behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell and a huge 214 points adrift of champion Verstappen.
      He also failed to win a race in the entire season for the first time in his 15-year F1 career.
      Hamilton will be hoping for improvement in 2023, but admits he does sometimes question his own ability.
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      Speaking on the Jay Shetty podcast, he said: “There are days where I do feel like I’m not enough, there are days where I don’t feel like I’m good enough.
      “People can be like, ‘Yeah, but you’ve won seven world titles’ but still there are days where I question ‘have you still got it, can you still be the best?’
      “I’m having that conversation with myself often. But my dad’s also there. Sometimes I’ll say something that’s maybe not the most positive.
      “And he’ll be the one there just reaffirming ‘you’ve got this, believe in yourself’.
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      “It’s so important for people to have people like that around them. I support myself, I surround myself with other positive people as well.
      “I think it’s all our job to lift everyone up. I want everyone around me to win, and to become the best versions of themselves.”
      The first race of the 2023 season takes place in Bahrain on March 5.
      And Hamilton will be hoping he can make the perfect start to the campaign by adding to his 103 F1 victories.
      The Stevenage-born driver has won more Grands Prix than anyone else, with Schumacher the closest to him on 91.
      Hamilton’s existing deal with Mercedes expires at the end of 2023.
      But the Silver Arrows are confident he will pen an extension to keep him with the team for the foreseeable future. More

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals reason behind splitting from dad as manager as Mercedes star prepares for new F1 season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has opened up on the reasoning behind his split from his dad as his manager. During the early days of his record-breaking Formula One career, Hamilton was managed by his father Anthony.
      Lewis Hamilton has revealed the reasons behind him splitting with his dad shortly after getting into F1Credit: Reuters
      Anthony Hamilton managed his son until 2010Credit: AP:Associated Press
      The seven-time champion revealed the pressure to succeed had put strain on their personal relationshipCredit: Getty
      This paid dividends early on, with Hamilton winning the 2008 title with McLaren in just his second year in the sport – with his debut season seeing him only narrowly miss out on the title to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.
      Consequently, it came as a surprise to many when Hamilton suddenly split from his dad as his manager in 2010.
      Speaking on the On Purpose podcast, Hamilton explained the decision, revealing the pair’s professional relationship from karting and into F1 had put strain on an otherwise strong bond.
      He said: “The thing with my dad was he was my manager all the way. We got to Formula One, and he worked so hard.
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      “His work ethic was inspiring for me, seeing how hard he worked, the time he gets up in the morning, the little sleep that he would have, ending the day in the garage, working on the go-kart, preparing for the weekend, packing up the truck and getting us to where we are.
      “Mechanic-ing and learning to be a better mechanic and still weighing all these different things. It was quite phenomenal to see.
      “But I think it was difficult for him to then show me love.
      “Sometimes you just want a hug from your dad or, when you’re facing these things, you want to be able to be embraced.”
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      Hamilton explained that once he entered the “pit” that is F1, the pressure to succeed caused him and his father to become more distant emotionally.
      He added: “At the time, I didn’t have management other than my dad, and my step-mum booked flights and trips.
      “But I didn’t have PR, I didn’t have anybody to help protect me or prepare me for things.
      “Driving, I was good, I will say. But, in these things, is where a lot of mistakes happened.
      “You’ve got all the media attention, so you’re just learning on the go, which was very difficult for a youngster I think.
      “Also you just want to try and live some sort of normal life, but nothing is normal for you at the time.
      “The thing for me and my dad – we were just really bumping heads at one stage.
      “It was like ‘I really just want you to be my dad, let’s go and have fun, let’s go and have a laugh’. We hadn’t had that for a long, long time.
      “So, eventually, I decided to part ways from my dad and I was like, ‘I’m gonna start making some of the decisions for myself and the mistakes that I’m gonna need to make’.”
      In the end, the decision proved to be inspired as Hamilton went on to win another six world championships after joining Mercedes in 2013.
      Hamilton is congratulated by his dad after winning the title in 2014Credit: Getty

      It also allowed for a cooling-off period between him and his dad, with the 38-year-old admitting it took time to mend their fractured relationship.
      He said: “There was definitely a period of time where we spoke less.
      “But we both have worked so hard to come back together and we have one of the greatest relationships (now) – he’s the first person I want to call when I finish a race.
      “Because I know he knows what it’s like, he was there from day one.”
      Hamilton also added that his dad has been important for him in overcoming recent struggles on the track.
      Those include his Abu Dhabi GP heartbreak in 2021 when Max Verstappen pipped him to the title – which led to the now-famous image of Anthony hugging Lewis in the paddock.
      Hamilton added: “There are days where I do feel like I’m not enough, there are days where I don’t feel like I’m good enough.
      “People can be like, ‘Yeah, but you’ve won seven world titles’ but still there are days where I question ‘have you still got it, can you still be the best?’
      “I’m having that conversation with myself often. But my dad’s also there. Sometimes I’ll say something that’s maybe not the most positive.
      “And he’ll be the one there just reaffirming ‘you’ve got this, believe in yourself’.
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      “It’s so important for people to have people like that around them. I support myself, I surround myself with other positive people as well.
      “I think it’s all our job to lift everyone up. I want everyone around me to win, and to become the best versions of themselves.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘offered £62 MILLION per season extension to F1 Mercedes deal but huge world champion bonus removed’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has reportedly been offered a mega £62million-a-year extension to his Mercedes contract.His current deal expires at the end of the 2023 season.
      Lewis Hamilton has reportedly been offered a new Mercedes deal worth £60mCredit: AP
      Merc chief Toto Wolff is relaxed about the situationCredit: PA
      However, the reported new contract does not include the whopping £22million bonus for winning the World Championship that is in his current deal.
      Instead, French outlet 20 Minutes say Hamilton, 38, has been offered a two-year deal worth £62m-a-year.
      His current deal is worth a reported £40m-a-year.
      So instead of potentially earning a bonus £22m for winning a record eighth world title, Hamilton will reportedly see his base salary increase by that figure.
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      The deal is also rumoured to include a 10-year ambassadorial role for when he does eventually retire, worth £22m-a-year.
      Mercedes sponsor Ineos, founded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will reportedly pay 90 per cent of the contract.
      Earlier this week Ratcliffe formally launched a takeover attempt at Manchester United.
      Hamilton is yet to pen a fresh Mercedes deal, but Merc chief Toto Wolff is relaxed about the situation.
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      The Brit F1 legend has been enjoying the off-season, and recently celebrated his birthday with an incredible trip to Antarctica.
      And Wolff, 51, is confident it’s only a matter of time before Hamilton extends his stay with Mercedes.
      He recently told Sky Sports: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
      “We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”

      He added: “It’s just a matter of him physically being back in Europe, sticking our heads together, wrestling a bit, and then leaving the room with white smoke after a few hours.”
      The 2023 F1 campaign begins with pre-season testing on February 23, with the first race in Bahrain on March 5.
      Hamilton will be hoping the 2023 season goes better than the last.
      Persistent issues with his Mercedes car saw Hamilton finish the season without a win or pole position for the first time in his career. More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘not in same class’ as Sebastian Vettel with Brit told he was way ahead in terms of F1 talent

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL was “never in the same class” as Lewis Hamilton, according to former Williams and Ferrari team manager Peter Windsor.Four-time world champion Vettel, 35, retired at the end of the 2022 season after 16 years in F1.
      Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have won 11 world titles between themCredit: Getty
      Vettel won four F1 world championships between 2010 and 2013Credit: Reuters
      All of his title triumphs came with Red Bull as he claimed four successive championships between 2010 and 2013.
      He then went on to drive for Ferrari and Aston Martin but failed to clinch a fifth crown.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton has gone on to win seven world titles – a record he shares with Michael Schumacher.
      The Brit, 38, who is preparing to enter his 17th season in the sport, won his first championship with McLaren and has won his other six with Mercedes.
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      Both men made their debuts in the 2007 season and have enjoyed historic careers in F1.
      But Windsor, who worked as a sponsorship manager at Williams and general manager of Ferrari’s UK base in the 1980s, believes Vettel cannot be considered on the same level as Hamilton.
      Speaking on his Twitch channel, he said: “I always thought Vettel was a very reflexy, very fast, very well-balanced driver who, even in his testing for Sauber days, was nothing other than the ultimate exponent of turning the corner into a V shape.
      “And when he couldn’t do that because of the geography of the corner, he was about the same as the average [driver], but when he could do it on a particular type of corner, he was brilliant and had that ability to do it.
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      “And he had that at Red Bull, when he had that amazing grip at the rear, blown diffuser and everything else.
      “When that went away in the regulations in his last year at Red Bull, he became just an ordinary racing driver and actually struggled against Daniel Ricciardo. It was obvious then that that’s how he was exposed.
      “He didn’t say at the end of that year, or during that year, ‘wow, I’m in trouble here. When I don’t have a great back end, I need to start to be able to play with it a bit more and do more with the front, get the front to work.’
      “[There were] all sorts of things he could have done but he didn’t do any of that.
      “He just signed off and went to Ferrari and arrived as the four-time World Champion who was greeted with a lot of money and a lot of fan adulation.
      “And he never got any better, he was still the same driver. That’s the Sebastian Vettel story.”
      Windsor then referenced the collision between Vettel and Hamilton in 2017 where the German hit the back of the Brit after accusing him of brake testing.
      Continuing to talk about Vettel, he added: “The only thing you only can add is that he’s also the guy, behind the Safety Car, who drove into Lewis Hamilton at Baku [in 2017] because he was annoyed with Lewis for driving slowly.
      “He got away with that. He got away with that with a very, very small fine whereas Dan Ticktum lost his licence for a year for doing virtually the same thing. So that was disproportionate. He was very lucky to get away with that.
      “I never would have put him in the same class as Lewis. Maybe, if he’s got a really good back end on the car, I’d put him up there with Fernando [Alonso] – but if he’s got a wayward back end and not a lot of grip [he’s in trouble].
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      “Overall, throw a bit of crosswind at Seb, throw a bit of crosswind at Fernando, throw a bit of oil on the track, throw a bit of tyres going off – Fernando’s always going to do a better job [than Vettel] with all the variables up in the air.
      “Seb is very locked into what he does well.”
      Peter Windsor rates Hamilton well above VettelCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s incredible Antarctic holiday during F1 off-season as Brit snowboards with A-list celebs

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has enjoyed an incredible Antarctic holiday during the Formula One off-season snowboarding with A-list celebrities.The seven-time world champion went snowboarding in a winter wonderland alongside Hollywood star Nina Dobrev.
      Hamilton is enjoying some time away ahead of the F1 seasonCredit: Instagram
      The Brit failed to win a race in 2022Credit: Instagram
      Hamilton went snowboarding alongside fellow A-listers such as Vampire Diaries’ DobrevCredit: Instagram
      Dobrev, Hamilton and Co sat on a slopeCredit: Instagram
      Group photo including the likes of Tatro, three-time Olympic gold medalist White and LetoCredit: Instagram
      The Canadian actress, 34, is best known for her starring role in six seasons of the hit show Vampire Diaries.
      The pair were all smiles as they took a selfie in their cosy snowboarding gear.

      A group photo was also taken, where the likes of Jimmy Tatro, three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White and Jared Leto can be seen.
      Hamilton shared a series of snaps to his Instagram with the caption: “Antarctica was chill.”
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      There have also been rumours of romance for Hamilton during the trip.
      Eagle-eyed F1 fans believe he was getting close to Kanye West’s busty ex-girlfriend Juliana Nalu during the trip.
      Fans have been loving the updates from Hamilton’s trip.
      One said: “It’s so nice seeing you this happy.”
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      Another said: “What an amazing experience!”
      Hamilton, 38, is gearing up for another season in F1.
      Testing is due to take place on 23-25 February at the Bahrain International Circuit.
      Hamilton’s current deal at Mercedes expires at the end of 2023.
      However, the Silver Arrows are confident they can get the Brit to extend his stay as he chases a record-breaking eighth world crown.
      Merc chief Toto Wolff said: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
      “We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”
      Hamilton’s Merc contract expires at the end of this yearCredit: Instagram
      F1 testing starts late next month in BahrainCredit: Instagram
      Hamilton is expected to extend his stay at MercCredit: Instagram
      Hamilton is chasing a record-breaking eighth world crownCredit: Instagram
      Dobrev has over 20million Instagram followersCredit: Instagram More

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      Mercedes confident of Lewis Hamilton signing new contract beyond 2023 season with talks set to begin

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      MERCEDES are confident that Lewis Hamilton will sign a new contract with the team prior to the new season beginning.The seven-time world champion sees his deal with the constructors finish at the end of the approaching 2023 season.
      Lewis Hamilton is expected to sign a new deal at MercedesCredit: Getty
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, 51, remains relaxed about Hamilton putting pen to paper on a new deal.
      Wolff said: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
      “We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”
      Hamilton, 38, is taking some time away from the track, going on holidays and talks are set to begin when he returns.
      READ MORE ON F1
      Wolff continued: “It’s just a matter of him physically being back in Europe, sticking our heads together, wrestling a bit, and then leaving the room with white smoke after a few hours.”
      Last season proved a disaster for Hamilton as he suffered continuous issues with his car, such as bouncing along the straights.
      Mercedes have confirmed they will launch the new W14 car on February 16.
      The 2023 F1 campaign begins with pre-season testing on February 23.
      Most read in Motorsport
      The first race then takes place in Bahrain on March 5.
      Hamilton is used to speaking out about a range of issues but the FIA will no longer allow drivers to use their F1 platform to make statements on political and social problems.
      Anyone planning to do so will need permission in advance with Wolff set to hold a discussion with the governing body regarding the new rule.
      He said: “Once he [Hamilton] is back, these things will certainly be discussed with a positive mindset.” More

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      Mercedes chief Wolff calls on FIA boss to meet Lewis Hamilton – to stop F1 driver being BANNED for political statements

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has called on the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to meet Lewis Hamilton – to prevent his driver from being BANNED from making political statements.The FIA have announced radical plans that mean drivers and teams must get written permission before making any “political, religious and personal statements”.
      Lewis Hamilton’s ability to speak out could be hit if the FIA bring in new rulesCredit: AFP
      Mercedes Team principal Toto Wolff wants the FIA to sort the matter out by meeting with British driving legend Lewis HamiltonCredit: Reuters
      The move seems targeted at Hamilton, who has become a global advocate for anti-racism and diversity and spoke out on a variety of issues before F1 races.
      And Wolff wants clarification from race bosses before the new season starts in Bahrain on March 5.
      He said: “We need to see how this really pans out. We understand that sport is not here to mix with politics but on the contrary and to unite.
      “I have no doubt Mohammed and the FIA mean well and want to achieve the right things.
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      “It is just about aligning it with the drivers who have been more outspoken in the past.
      “When Lewis has spoken with Mohammed in the past it has always ended up in a positive discussion, so when people sit around the table together I don’t think things will be as harsh as they are written down.”
      Meanwhile, Williams have signed James Vowles as team boss after poaching him from Mercedes.
      Vowles has been in F1 for 21-years and won nine F1 constructors’ championships with Brawn GP and Mercedes.
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      The 43-year-old Brit was most recently Motorsport Strategy Director at Mercedes, a position he held for over four years.
      However, he has disputed any suggestions he is turning Williams into any “mini-Mercedes” after George Russell also spent some time on loan at the team.
      “I wouldn’t consider it a mini-Mercedes,” said Vowles.
      “Williams is an incredibly independent team in its own right that has formed its own history, its own heritage.”
      Vowles added that Williams was “an entirely independent organisation”.
      He said: “It doesn’t mean that Mercedes and ourselves won’t have collaboration in some form or another, it was collaborating before I joined.
      “But I have to do what was best for Williams from now onwards.”
      Former Mercedes’ Motorsport Strategy Director James Vowles has become team boss at WilliamsCredit: Getty More

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      Fans convinced Lewis Hamilton is dating stunning Kanye West’s busty ex Juliana Nalu after hot tub snap emerges

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      F1 fans think they have uncovered the identity of Lewis Hamilton’s new girlfriend.The seven-time world champion, 38, is currently in Antarctica as he gears up for the 2023 season – which begins in Bahrain in March.
      Lewis Hamilton is currently enjoying some time in Antarctica
      Kanye West’s ex-girlfriend Juliana Nalu is also in Antarctica
      Hamilton could be seen on former snowboarder Shaun White’s Instagram
      Fans believe the arm alongside Hamilton was Nalu’s
      He has filmed himself on training runs in the freezing conditions, jogging past seals and penguins as he gets himself in shape for a 17th successive year in Formula 1.
      Former Olympic snowboarder Shaun White has joined him out in the cold climate as Hamilton was pictured enjoying a hot tub with the three-time gold medallist.
      White, 36, is also with his wife – actress Nina Dobrev.
      In a screenshot of Hamilton and White in the hot tub, the arm of an unidentifiable woman can be seen next to the British racing driver.
      READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
      Nalu has more than 800,000 followers on Instagram
      And F1 fans believe it to be Kanye West’s ex-partner Juliana Nalu.
      Brazilian supermodel Nalu, 24, has shared pictures from Antarctica during Hamilton’s time there.
      And while there is no concrete proof that the pair are together, social media users hilariously jumped to conclusions.
      Speaking about White and Hamilton, one person said: “Of course he’s on the same boat. Check Shaun White’s Insta. They’re in the hot tub and a girl (Juliana Nalu?) in Lewis’ arms.”
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      Another added: “JULIANA NALU WITH LEWIS HAMILTON, REALLY???”
      A third said: “Juliana Nalu with Lewis Hamilton. LOL this darling is too good.”
      While a fourth replied: “The Hamilton descent can be Brazilian and it only depends on Juliana Nalu.”
      Before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last year, Hamilton became a Brazilian citizen.
      The Brit, who has a long affinity with the South American nation, was handed the legislative medal of merit and a diploma showcasing his new status.
      He was a huge admirer of the country’s racing icon Ayrton Senna when he was growing up.
      He then went on to win his first F1 world title in Brazil in 2008 – beating the home fans’ countryman Felipe Massa to the crown.
      But he has still gone on to be embraced by the nation.
      And he made a speech to the Brazilian people following his citizenship ceremony in November.
      As reported by Reuters, he said: “I feel like now I’m one of you.”

      He then went on to add: “I have so many amazing memories of Brazil. And particularly 2021 [when he won from 10th on the grid].
      “Knowing you guys would cheer me on the way was one of the most special moments of my entire life. I can’t wait for us to continue to strive ahead.”
      Hamilton has always been very private about his dating lifeCredit: Getty More