For a day, Lewis Hamilton was able to meet the equal of himself.
Before getting to the heart of the matter in Miami, the seven-time world champion crossed swords with Tom Brady, another seven-time champion.
"
14 world champion titles in one tweet
", welcomed the Briton after immortalizing a (charity) golf match with the regional stage (Brady plays in Tampa Bay, Florida).
Enough to fully recharge your batteries in contact with an athlete who, like him, regularly hosts the debate box of the “GOAT” (best of all time) and knows the difficulty of overcoming failure.
To discover
Formula 1: the calendar for the 2022 season
Formula 1: manufacturers' classification
Formula 1: drivers classification
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A situation of failure that Sir Lewis has known all too well since the start of the season.
Latest example to date, his anonymous 13th place at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, where his impotence behind Pierre Gasly bordered on resignation.
"
I don't know what to say, it's really difficult
," agreed the Mercedes driver, "
sorry
" about his result when his new team-mate George Russell snatched a nice fourth place.
Worse, Hamilton suffered the harsh reality of having to give way to Max Verstappen, his rival for the 2021 title who will finish the race a lap ahead, an almost surreal image.
Two weeks after what should be described as a humiliation, however, Hamilton landed with a smile in Florida.
The enthusiasm aroused by the event does not escape the native of Stevenage, who seems to like the country of the “Sunshine State”.
"
I love you Miami,
" he posted on Instagram.
I arrived recently but I love the energy of this city.
We have so much to accomplish.
»
Read alsoFormula 1: Hamilton announces that he is "struggling mentally and emotionally"
"I'm working on my masterpiece"
Starting with a return to the points.
Only seventh in the drivers' standings, the Briton already needs to find the top of the table not to give up all hope of a record 8th title, at the origin of his return when speculation on an early retirement fueled a rather quiet off-season in the small world of Formula 1.
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"
I'm working on my masterpiece, I'll be the one who decides when it's over
", promised the interested party the day after his debacle at Imola, on Instagram.
A message accompanied by a photo where he appeared in the middle of a pile of tires, in a dark setting that would almost remind a Sith lord in the Star Wars universe.
So, ready for all Hamilton?
“
It's not in my DNA to give up,
promised the Briton at the microphone of
Sky Sports.
We are still the constructors' world champions.
We can bounce back but it will take time
.”
The dominating team of the hybrid era has promised changes in the package brought to Miami but prefers to speak
of “experiments
” which will aim to learn a little more about the faults of a clearly ill-born W13.
Even if this is in no way comparable to his experience of the 2009 McLaren. “
The 2009 car was very, very far, and it's the worst car I've had, tempers the Briton.
The current car is not far from this experience, but I think it has much more potential.
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Well aware of the work to be done, the Mercedes driver knows that salvation will require long-term work at Brackley.
It would also be surprising to see the W13 play the leading roles on the fast track of Miami.
New features will then be added to the single-seater on the return to Europe.
There, Hamilton will know a little more about the real potential of his W13.
At the wheel of which he so badly needs to find sensations, under penalty of dragging his spleen a little more.