Is Formula One better without Lewis Hamilton?

Lewis Hamilton’s dominance in F1 borders on suffocating. His absence has seen the return of contest and excitement. The sport is better without him.

Sergio Perez of Mexico and Racing Point

For the first time since Brazil 2006, a Formula One race went ahead without Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion was forced to sit the Sakhir leg of the season out after testing positive for COVID-19, with Williams youngster George Russell promoted to fill his compatriot’s shoes.

A daunting task but one full of intrigue.

Could a rookie come anywhere close to driving like Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas when the playing field was levelled?

Would this finally silence those who suggest Hamilton’s success is all down to a superior car?

Could the middle order prove competition in F1 is still very much present and that perhaps it’s time for the broadcasters to focus less on the leaders?

In short the answer is yes to all of the above.

Race winner Sergio Perez

Pure emotion from Perez

But perhaps the most intriguing thing about the Sakhir race weekend is it left many F1 fans - myself included - considering an even bigger question: ‘is the sport better without Hamilton?’

The answer, on this limited evidence at least, is also quite possibly yes.

That is not meant as a slight on Hamilton himself. He is undeniably one of the greatest ever drivers to grace the sport. For many observers ‘the’ best. It is more a reflection of his ever-increasing dominance.

When one player or team exists on a higher plane, however supreme their talent, sport risks being deprived of one of its key ingredients, that of genuine competitive balance. A contest. When Serena Williams is on song and near unbeatable, when Tiger Woods had his name engraved on trophy before the first tee, the All Blacks’ stranglehold on Bledisloe Cup competitions. Greatness can reach a level that almost becoming suffocating.

A podium like never before

Sometimes it’s refreshing for the wider fan group to see the head honcho(s) out of contention.

In a season utterly governed by Hamilton winning races, equalling and breaking records, and rewriting the history books, his absence removed something but at the same time added another, making for a level of excitement not seen in F1 for some time, the opportunity to watch a group of rising stars and middle order drivers battle it out for glory.

And weren’t we rewarded.

The irony of Russell coming agonisingly close to claiming victory as the stand-in Mercedes driver should not be lost, but the Mercedes team mix-up of tyres for the Brit and Bottas saw the Silver Arrows’ hopes of victory go up in smoke.

A picture paints a thousand words#SakhirGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/oJlCTldCAX

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2020

Gifted a second chance at a maiden podium, Russell’s hopes were literally punctured with seven laps to go - an incident Mercedes boss Toto Wolff referred to as “a colossal f.ck up”.

The emotion of this momentous moment being snatched away was all too much – it was refreshing to hear a driver speak with such passion as opposed to dismissing a team error.

It was a revelation to have post-race analysis be about more than just one driver’s dominance.

“It really hurts,” Russell said. “Honestly, it really bloody hurt when I got out of the car. I spoke to my parents straightaway. I knew they were feeling it. They said you’ve got so much to be proud of.

“Hopefully, I’ve given Toto some problems to sort out for the future. I’m happy. I’m proud.”

And he should be proud.

To the Hamilton ‘haters’ let’s be clear on one thing. Russell’s success in the Mercedes doesn’t undermine Hamilton’s abilities or success, more it reinforces the youngster’s pedigree.

As it turned out, Mercedes’ loss was Racing Point’s gain as Sergio Perez claimed a memorable debut win, while teammate Lance Stroll finished third for his second podium of the season.

How can I even say this - Is F1 better without Hamilton???

— CB Harquail (@CbHarquail) December 6, 2020

It’s bizarre isn’t it: take the reigning Champion out of the race in MotoGP and F1 and it all goes nuts. Great entertainment for us watching 🤗

— Toby Moody 🎙 (@TobyMoody) December 6, 2020

Cant more agree than you. F1 is more interesting without Hamilton. We saw the real race, equal opportunity for the driver to the podium! Not boring race and the same driver in the podium!!

— Dewi Retnowatie (@DRetnowatie) December 6, 2020

I’ve always enjoyed Lewis Hamilton in #F1 but today’s #ShakirGP race was more exciting without him.

— Chris Sheridan (@IndySoupdotcom) December 6, 2020

This is a MOOD 😍🥇@SChecoPerez x @PierreGASLY #SakhirGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/VWw9DCROrk

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2020

Damn why is f1 so much more fun without hamilton

— Lieke (@Lieke_2005) December 6, 2020

Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault teammate Esteban Ocon was second, celebrating his first ever F1 podium.

It was an emotional race. Images of Perez and his peers welling up with tears were wonderful to see. Moments like this are scant when Hamilton is on track.

Carlos Sainz was fourth and Ricciardo was fifth.

And just where were Ferrari and Red Bull?

Accustomed to being at the front, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were rubbed out after colliding in lap one with the latter taking responsibility for the incident.

Verstappen’s teammate Alex Albon finished sixth while Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel’s season-to-forget took another hit with the German 12th.

Incredibly, race winner Perez is without a drive for next season - dumped by his current team for Vettel.

I think it was refreshing to have an #F1 weekend without Hamilton's attention seeking nonsense. Less politics, no silly tweets, no whining about tyres, no scooter for the cameras, no dramatics on the radio. Good escapism for the working class. How it should be. #SakirGP

— Paul Beel (@paul_beel) December 6, 2020

Is there hope the Mexican will be on track next year? That’s up in the air, but given the reaction to this race weekend, we can only hope he and others are not forced out of the sport they so clearly love.

Hamilton is unlikely to return to the circuit this season as he completes mandatory quarantining, but he will be back in 2021, no doubt ready to smash the records that are, for now, on hold.

What that leaves us with ladies and gentleman is one more Hamilton-free race weekend and it’s the season-ender in Abu Dhabi. His temporary absence something to be savoured rather than mourned.