Hamilton admits to self-doubt, says Abu Dhabi 2021 prompted F1 retirement thoughts

The seven-time champion has undergone a challenging two years with the Mercedes squad, which has found itself unable to regularly match the pace of the dominant Red Bull outfit. 

Those competitive struggles have also come straight off the back of the controversy from the end of 2021, where the FIA’s mishandling of a safety car restart at that year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ultimately cost Hamilton the world title.

And while Hamilton has committed himself to helping Mercedes get back to the front of F1 with a new contract that keeps him committed until the end of 2025, he has confessed about times when he questioned his own performances. 

Speaking to selected media including Motorsport.com about having moments of doubt amid recent difficulties, Hamilton said: “Of course. 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.” 

Although Hamilton is currently experiencing his longest victory drought in F1, having not stood on top of the podium since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, he says that too much is made of statistics and views the current challenges with Mercedes as similar to the difficulties he has faced at earlier times in his career. 

Asked about the significance of being without a win for two years, he said: “I think that’s a misconception. When I was younger, I had bad years when I was a kid.  

“In 2009, the car was horrendous. We did have a win through the year because we had a second upgrade in the season.  

“Then 2010-11, also not great years. One on my side from a personal [point of view] the other more often than not the car was not spectacular.  

“So, it’s maybe the biggest drought in terms of success, but if you take away those wins, it’s been similar to those seasons.  

“I think I’ve learned a lot about my mind state and how to keep it in a solid place and staying positive, adding new tools into my armoury so I can continue to do what I do.  

“I’m 38, nearly 39 years old, and I feel great in my body. That’s due to certain tools I’ve been able to accumulate during these two years. Time that I’ve been able to manage outside racing, I think I’ve been able to do a much better job of maintaining energy and focus. 

“I’ve got a better team around me than ever before. I guess ultimately when you have difficult seasons like this, there are always…