P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes’ trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has praised the team’s former driver Lewis Hamilton, saying his “phobia of losing” has been integral to its Formula 1 success.
Hamilton officially joined Ferrari as a driver on January 1, marking Mercedes’ first season without him since 2012. During their successful partnership, Hamilton secured six of his seven Drivers’ titles, with Mercedes winning the Constructors’ Championship eight times. According to Shovlin, Hamilton’s work ethic and aversion to losing were key factors in their achievements. Shovlin emphasized Hamilton’s unique drive and commitment to success, noting that his fear of losing fueled his continuous quest for improvement. With Hamilton’s departure, Mercedes will head into the 2025 season with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli and seasoned driver George Russell as their lineup.
