Lewis Hamilton, the 41-year-old who has apparently not yet been put out to pasture, ended a 41-race winless streak with a flawless victory at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Sunday, driving for Ferrari and proving that self-doubt is just another thing you can overtake.
The seven-time world champion, who started second behind George Russell of Mercedes, executed Ferrari's pivotal three pit-stop strategy to perfection, charging to his 106th grand prix victory. After the race, Hamilton admitted that the long dry spell had him wondering if Father Time had finally caught up with his driving gloves.
"After a year like last year, there were definitely moments that I was like: 'Sheesh, maybe it is true that when you get to a certain point, you lose it,'" Hamilton said. "I've proven you don't. You always have it. It takes work, it takes perseverance, constant believing in yourself, to tap into your inner self."
Hamilton acknowledged that the intense criticism on social media during his early struggles with Ferrari stung, because apparently even seven-time world champions have feelings. "I'm only human. There's moments where I see the stuff, moments where I allowed it to get to me and penetrate deeply," he said. His remedy? Quality time with family and friends who didn't doubt him, followed by a training regimen starting on Christmas Day that he described as "harder than I've ever experienced."
Fred Vasseur, the Ferrari team principal, praised Hamilton's resilience, noting that "beginning with us was not always easy. He had moments when he was down, struggling to build up the relationship with the team, to understand each other. But he kept putting the same energy into the project."
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal and former ally, offered congratulations while subtly noting that a virtual safety car for Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso may have helped. "If it's not our turn to win, it should be Lewis," Wolff said, in what could be interpreted as either graciousness or a strategic concession.
The victory puts Hamilton within 41 points of championship leader Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old who apparently retired late in the race, much to Hamilton's benefit. Hamilton, clearly savoring the moment, said he might sleep in his red Ferrari suit tonight, because nothing says victory like pajamas with a prancing horse logo.
As for Hamilton's well-documented relationship with Kim Kardashian, Wolff added, "Maybe the girlfriend helps," offering a theory that likely won't be peer-reviewed anytime soon.