Editorial Ranking 2013: Lewis Hamilton (7th)
To officially close the 2013 season and move towards 2014, the MotorsInside editorial team invites you to look back at its top ten drivers of the past season. Let's continue climbing the rankings with Lewis Hamilton in seventh position.
His statistics
4th in the overall ranking
189 points
1 victory
5 podiums
1 fastest lap
Best qualification: 1st (China / Great Britain / Germany / Hungary / Belgium)
Best race: 1st (Hungary)
His season
Signing with Mercedes, which was struggling in 2012, was a challenge that few people believed in. It’s clear that Lewis Hamilton successfully took on that challenge.
If the editorial ranking is not necessarily flattering, the opinions are unanimous in praising a successful season that could have undoubtedly been even better without certain technical issues, such as the puncture he suffered while leading the race at the British Grand Prix or the chassis problems at the beginning of the second half of the season.
Lewis Hamilton delivered a flawless performance, and his brilliant victory in Hungary will be remembered as the last by a driver other than Sebastian Vettel. The second part of the season was somewhat quieter, as the Briton could no longer compete with Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bulls, failing to secure any podiums after Belgium, while his teammate was able to perform better in certain races like in India.
Nevertheless, the record remains very positive, and if the 2013 season marked the return to the forefront of a Mercedes team that seems to have overcome its fundamental difficulties, the upcoming season could be the one where they contend for the title, both for the German team and for Lewis Hamilton who demonstrated this season that the disastrous 2011 season is well behind him. As a leader, talented, and experienced, the Briton will certainly need even more commitment, as Alain Prost pointed out, to compete with Sebastian Vettel and win a second world champion title.
The editorial opinion: Whether he was ranked 2nd or 7th, Lewis Hamilton receives only positive reviews. For Axel Brémond, he has perfectly adapted to the German team, taking on the biggest challenge of his career. For Romain Mathon, despite the pressure from a strong-performing Nico Rosberg, the Briton has shown impressive performances.
On Antoine Maricot’s side, the bet is paying off, but he also points out the few issues that have marked Hamilton’s season, notably the chassis problem in the second half of the season. For Sarah Nuyens, finally, Lewis Hamilton has been one of the architects of Mercedes’ climb to the second place among constructors.
The highlight of his season: his victory in Hungary will be remembered as his first victory dressed in Mercedes silver. An unexpected success under the intense heat of the Hungaroring, but brilliantly achieved. One of the highlights of the 2013 season.
Discover the other drivers in the editorial ranking:
