Hail Hamilton
By: Vivek B Bhatia
Tags: Hamilton, Lewis Hamilton, Grand Prix, Formula 1, Brazil

Lewis Hamilton’s inspiring feat in Brazil put him in the F1 history books and won many hearts, including mine.

Hamilton channeled Senna’s aggression, emerging victorious despite all odds at the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix. Picture courtesy: Lewis Hamilton’s Instagram page

I stopped following F1 after Michael Schumacher retired. But my sabbatical from the sport as a viewer was shortlived.

It was the Drive to Survive Netflix series that pulled me back into the grid in 2020. To experience the same adrenaline rush that I once felt years ago, the battles on and off the sector, the politics and mind games — all of it remains as is. Only the faces and names have changed. It has been a thrilling comeback, to be honest.

3 seasons of F1 behind the scenes drama that will fuel your need for speed. 4th season currently in production. Picture courtesy: Getty Images

In my years off the F1 grid, I read and mostly heard fellow sport enthusiasts praise a certain Lewis Hamilton. I didn’t pay much attention then but the moment he equalled the 7 World Championship feat of Michael Schumacher, it was hard to ignore him. I remember watching the Turkish Grand Prix in 2020, wherein he fought a dramatic battle to the finish and weathered the rains like a true champion.

For millions of Schumacher fans, like myself, it was another moment of reckoning. Was it finally time to usher in a new F1 hero?

I didn’t have a definite answer to that question.

I voted in ridiculous, “Schumacher vs. Hamilton — who is the better driver” online polls to help me come to a decision. A few fans observed that it was like the Messi vs. Ronaldo or LeBron vs. Jordan conundrum — that both drivers could be equally appreciated. Equally appreciated? No, thank you. I still wasn’t ready to accept that.

Lewis Hamilton breaks down after winning his 7th World Championship Title at the Turkish Grand Prix in 2020. Picture Courtesy: Google Images

Until much recently, I witnessed the weekend of the Brazilian Grand Prix 2021.

First, Mercedes and Hamilton faced a five-place grid penalty due to an engine change. This meant the 7-time World Champion would presumably start Sunday’s Grand Prix on P10 post his pole position in qualifying. But there was more to come.

Hamilton was slapped with another penalty for DRS (Drag Reduction System) infringement, placing him all the way at the back of the grid (P20) just before Saturday’s sprint qualifying session (24 laps). Hamilton had to now secure a strong position in the sprint session to ensure he had a slim chance to acquire the podium in the main race.

A herculean task, to say the least.

Lights out and away we go!

Lap 1, just at the first turn, Hamilton was already P14 moving up 6 places in a matter of seconds. He’d picked up the perfect line on the track, giving him enough breakthrough and speed to move up his opponents. Sheer class.

Halfway through the race, around Lap 13 he’d moved way ahead of the likes of Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo securing P10 with élan.

The last lap (24) of the race is when he waltzed past 22-year-old McLaren’s birthday boy Lando Norris, who in a post-match conference was asked about the overtake and he had nothing but great things to say about him. What a way to receive a return gift.

Hamilton crossed the chequered flag securing P5 — which meant he’d gained 15 positions in just 24 laps!

He was all set to start Sunday’s Grand Prix from P10.

“It’s not over yet”

Hamilton’s Saturday sprint made his mission abundantly clear to everyone on the grid, especially the good folks at Red Bull, who seemed nervous about the outcome. Their ace driver Max Verstappen had a good lead at the start of the race and his teammate Sergio “Checo” Perez was asked to block incoming Hamilton and his teammate Valtteri Bottas. But Hamilton was unstoppable.

A man who’d moved 15 places in 24 laps in Saturday’s sprint had 71 laps to gain 10 positions in the main race. After 2 close calls, he got past Verstappen with a brilliant overtake in Lap 59. As he bid adieu to others from his rear-view, he crossed the chequered flag with a comfortable 10 second lead.