How Pep Guardiola used Lewis Hamilton inspiration for Manchester City’s Premier League success

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Published on 2024-02-01 18:30:00

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola drew inspiration from Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton during the previous Premier League title race with Liverpool in 2021. He urged his squad to replicate the success of Hamilton in a rallying public message.

As Manchester City finds themselves in another Premier League title race with Jurgen Klopp’s side, the Sky Blues are aiming to win the league for a record-breaking fourth successive season.

City beat Burnley 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium and remain within five points of league leaders Liverpool, with one game less played compared to both Liverpool and Arsenal.

The upcoming weekend could greatly impact the destination of the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool travel to face Arsenal prior to Manchester City’s trip to Brentford on Monday evening.

Currently occupying 2nd place, City leads Arsenal on goal difference, but only three points separate City, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Aston Villa.

City and Liverpool have had thrilling Premier League title races in the past, with Guardiola’s side beating Arsenal to the trophy last season.

Guardiola has previously taken inspiration from Mercedes F1 duo Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton, with the seven-time World Champion inspiring Manchester City’s first-team squad in 2021.

Guardiola emphasized the need for his players to fight to the end, drawing parallels to the resilience of Verstappen and Hamilton in the F1 championship battle.

He noted that success sometimes depends on factors beyond one’s control, using Verstappen and Hamilton as examples of champions who consistently fight regardless of external factors.

“You saw in the F1; [Max] Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were incredible champions, but sometimes success doesn’t depend on you,” said Guardiola.

“Something’s there is a winner and you don’t win, but both are champions. The players have to fight like Verstappen and Hamilton to the end.

“But sometimes even with that doing perfectly, incredibly well, there is something you cannot control that decides you are the winner. This is an example I took from Sunday; always fight. In the end a law or VAR or bad decision and many things and you don’t win.”

In a surprising turn of events, Hamilton is expected to leave Mercedes in 2025 and sign with Ferrari. This move has added another layer of intrigue to the F1 landscape.

Overall, Guardiola’s message to Manchester City’s squad is clear: draw inspiration from champions like Hamilton, fight until the end, and understand that external factors may influence success, but the determination to push through is what sets champions apart.

Read Original article on City Xtra