Lewis Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and joined Mercedes in 2013, after winning one world championship with the Woking-based outfit. However, years before he actually made the move to Mercedes, Hamilton foresaw it coming, as he explained his “destiny” in an interview.
Top Gear, which is one of the most famous shows in the world when it comes to cars, had Hamilton as a guest during his early McLaren days. There, while talking to host Jeremy Clarkson, Hamilton explained why he would definitely be joining a team like Mercedes in the future.
When Hamilton was driving for McLaren, they were winning races or at least challenging for wins on a consistent basis. Nevertheless, he told Clarkson that he always pictured himself going to a struggling team to help them change their fortunes and create history.
He added that Michael Schumacher himself did the same thing when he moved to Ferrari, and guided the Maranello-based outfit to five world championship wins between 2000-2005.
McLaren’s demise and Mercedes’ struggle
Hamilton won his first world championship in 2008 with McLaren, after a thrilling title battle that involved Ferrari’s Felipe Massa. However, his title-winning campaign was followed by the beginning of McLaren’s demise and Red Bull’s rise to power.
Between 2010 and 2013, Red Bull was unstoppable in the sport, with the only team coming close to dethroning their champion Sebastian Vettel being Ferrari. Hamilton wanted a change and turned to Mercedes, who themselves were struggling.
Mercedes was a midfield team, whereas Hamilton was a generational talent looking to win titles. However, Niki Lauda, an F1 legend, convinced the Brit to trust the Brackley-based outfit’s project and boy did it pay off! All those years ago, when he had just become a star, his prediction on Top Gear ended up coming true, as he had a career that mirrored that of fellow seven-time champion, Schumacher,
Lewis Hamilton matched Michael Schumacher’s legacy after his Mercedes move
Schumacher established himself as the best-ever when he won five drivers’ championships to take his total tally to seven. Most people didn’t expect this record to be broken, at least for several decades but Hamilton’s move to Mercedes in 2013 changed to course of F1 history.
Hamilton won six world titles with Mercedes, and brought his total tally up to seven, the same as Schumacher’s. All those years ago, when he had just become a star, his prediction on Top Gear ended up coming true, as he had a career that mirrored that of fellow seven-time champion, Schumacher.
Now 38 years old, Hamilton is still showing no signs of slowing down. He is determined to go one up on Schumacher, before finally calling time on his illustrious career.
