Hamilton entered F1 with McLaren in 2007 and became a championship contender in his first year. However, he failed to make it a reality as he lost to Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari by just one point. Capitulating on that, Hamilton sealed the title the very next year and was regarded as a future multiple world champion in the coming years. However, things began to go downhill for him from 2009 as his McLaren was barely a match for Brawn GP cars in 2009, and Red Bulls and Ferraris in 2010 and 2011. Finally, in 2011, he lost his cool, and his patience with the Papayas began to thin out.

Lewis Hamilton burst onto the Formula 1 scene with McLaren in 2007, making an immediate impact as a rookie by contending for the championship. In a dramatic debut season, he narrowly missed out on the title, losing to Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen by just a single point. However, Hamilton quickly bounced back, clinching his first World Championship in 2008. With this early success, he was widely tipped to become a multiple-time world champion.

Despite the promising start, Hamilton’s journey hit turbulence from 2009 onwards. McLaren’s performance waned significantly, with their cars struggling to match the dominant Brawn GP machines in 2009 and later being outclassed by Red Bull and Ferrari in 2010 and 2011. The inconsistency and lack of competitiveness began to take a toll on Hamilton’s morale. By 2011, his frustration became evident both on and off the track. Frequent on-track incidents, combined with growing tension within the team, signaled a dip in form and focus. His relationship with McLaren began to deteriorate as it became clear the team could no longer offer him a car capable of challenging for titles consistently. These struggles set the stage for a bold career move that would eventually redefine his legacy.