In the fast world of Formula 1, where races are decided in a blink, there are some famous sayings. One of them is “Hammer time,” which Lewis Hamilton hears a lot during races. But what does it mean? Let’s find out from Hamilton himself. He recently shared the story behind it. Instead of being something tricky, it’s just a shout-out to a song he likes. But there’s more to it, and we’ll dive into that, along with a sneak peek at what Mercedes is up to for the next season.
What ‘Hammer Time’ Really Means?
For over ten years, Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, has been saying, “Okay, Lewis, it’s Hammer time” during Formula 1 races. Many fans might have guessed where it came from, but Hamilton recently explained its true meaning. Instead of being something complicated, it’s just a nod to the song ‘U Can’t Touch This’ by MC Hammer. But behind the cool reference, there’s a practical reason…
During a recent chat on F1’s Grill the Grid series, Hamilton explained that “Hammer time” is more than just a nod to music; it’s a quick way for him to go fast before a pit stop. Instead of long instructions over the radio, Hamilton and Bonnington came up with this short message to push harder on the track. But what makes it ‘Hammer time’?
Hamilton explained that it usually happens before a planned pit stop, usually around lap 20 or 25. Even though the team might already be telling him to push, the Mercedes driver wanted a simpler signal. So, “Hammer time” is just a quick way of saying, “push hard and go fast.”
A Sneak Peek At Mercedes’ 2024 Formula 1 Car
Moving away from radio talk, let’s look at what Mercedes is doing for the upcoming season. Recently, Mercedes teased fans by showing a little bit of its new 2024 Formula 1 car, the W15. The picture is blurry, but you can see Lewis Hamilton sitting inside, showing that the team is getting ready for the new season. Looking back at last season sets the stage for Mercedes’ plans in 2024. Even though Mercedes didn’t win any races in 2023, they still came in second in the Constructors’ Championship. Now, they’re working hard to catch up to their main rival, Red Bull.
Important people at Mercedes show they’re sticking around. The boss of the team, Toto Wolff, and the person in charge of the technical stuff, James Allison, both decided to stay with Mercedes. This shows they’re committed to making the team better in the upcoming season. As we get closer to the 2024 Formula 1 season, fans are excited to see more of Hamilton’s ‘Hammer time’ moments and how Mercedes does on the track. With Hamilton explaining where the phrase comes from and Mercedes giving us a peek at their plans, it’s looking like another thrilling season is ahead. So, get ready for the ride, F1 fans!
