Lewis Hamilton 'no longer has the hunger' says Sir Jackie Stewart

Lewis Hamilton faces NEVER winning another F1 world title because he ‘has serious problems’ and ‘no longer has the hunger’, says Sir Jackie Stewart

• Lewis Hamilton is tied with Ferrari icon Michael Schumacher on seven titles 
• The Brit has not had the car to challenge for the title since missing out in 2021
• Jackie Stewart believes the Mercedes star ‘no longer has the hunger’  

Formula One legend Jackie Stewart has sensationally claimed that Lewis Hamilton ‘no longer has the hunger’ and might never win an eighth drivers’ title.

The Brit is still level on seven titles with Ferrari icon Michael Schumacher, following the controversy of the 2021 season finale when he was pipped to the championship by Max Verstappen.

Red Bull star Verstappen is well on course to winning his third straight title after winning a record tenth race in a row at the Italian Grand Prix. Hamilton meanwhile is 200 points down on the Dutchman and is fourth in the standings. 

Hamilton recently signed a £50m two-year extension which will keep him in the sport until the brink of his 41st birthday. 

Stewart, who won three titles himself between 1969 and 1973, has told BILD that Hamilton has ‘serious problems’ which could prevent him from an eighth title.

Lewis Hamilton has ‘lost his hunger’ according to Formula One legend Jackie Stewart

Hamilton’s Mercedes have not been able to compete with Max Verstappen and Red Bull since narrowly missing out on the drivers’ title in controversial style at the Abu Dhabi GP in 2021 

Jackie Stewart says Hamilton has ‘serious problems’ in his way of winning an eighth title

He told the German publication in an interview: ‘First of all, Lewis is one of the best to ever drive in Formula 1. But the truth is that in the last decade he competed with Mercedes for a team that was virtually out of competition. 

‘During this time, Lewis only had one real competitor: his respective teammate. Except for 2016, he always emerged victorious from the duel. And then he lost to Nico Rosberg. With respect: a good driver, but not the most talented in the world.

‘But Rosberg was hungry and had the absolute will to become world champion. Lewis no longer has that hunger. Because of that – and because the car is no longer quite as powerful – he has serious problems.’

Stewart, 84, went on to add that Hamilton’s hopes of winning the title rely on Mercedes, though he doesn’t expect him to move out on his own ahead of Schumacher.

He said: ‘That (eighth title) also depends on Mercedes. It’s not impossible, but I still don’t think he’ll be able to do it. And I don’t think – despite the rumors about Ferrari – that he will change teams again.’

The Ferrari rumours he mentions are in relation to talks earlier this year that the 38-year-old would make the switch to the Italian outfit.

Hamilton instead decided to stick it out with Mercedes and the 2025 campaign will be his 13th year driving for the Silver Arrows.

The Brit does hold the record for most race wins on 103, though he has gone 37 races without taking home the winners’ trophy – with the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix his last win to date. 

Stewart also claimed that Hamilton lost the 2016 title to a driver ‘who is not the most talented’ in Nico Rosberg (right)

Hamilton is still level on seven drivers’ titles with Ferrari icon Michael Schumacher

This season, he has achieved four podiums in Australia, Spain, Canada and Great Britain.

At the Italian Grand Prix he finished sixth, despite receiving a five-second penalty following a collision with McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri. 

Time is against Hamilton’s side with the Brit in his final years of his racing career, however he still believes he can win more world championships. 

‘On the 2021 thing, I’m not really a revenge person,’ he said after signing his contract. 

‘It’s not about revenge. It’s not about redemption. That’s in the past, there’s nothing you can do about the past.

‘But what we can do is work harder and be more precise and be better moving forwards. And I truly believe that with this team, we can win more world championships and more races together. So that’s where all my energy is going.’

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