On the track, he was poetry in motion.
Off it, he sometimes seemed to be a man who lives like a rabbit caught in the media headlights.
If after nearly 15 years with McLaren, the 27-year-old Briton is taking time to reflect on his future, it is not a decision to be taken in haste amid reports he may be in line for a switch to Mercedes.
Singapore prepares for F1's "toughest race" this year
Preparations for Singapore's fifth Formula One night race is in full swing as drivers, car dealers and organisers shift into high gear for this weekend.
One of Formula One's more difficult races, the Singapore leg requires drivers to drive a total of 61 laps on the 5.073km-long Marina Bay track. The local humidity and time difference do not make things any easier.
Dad's words stopped me quitting: Hamilton
Formula One star Lewis Hamilton Wednesday revealed how his father's simple advice to "never give up" had stopped him quitting during dark days in his career.
Hamilton, under intense speculation over which team he will drive for next year, has often cut an unhappy figure this season despite his three wins. In 2011, his campaign was knocked off course by relationship problems.
But the 27-year-old Briton said he drew strength at difficult times from his personal motto, drilled into him by his father, Anthony.
"Never give up. That's just something I had from when I was a kid," Hamilton said at a promotional event ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.
"Everyone has tough times that people don't know about and I remember even in my career I was thinking, 'Shoot, maybe I'm not going to be able to make it'. And I remember my dad said, 'Never give up', and that just stuck with me.
It'll be a hot race this F1 weekend
With this being the only night race, and the fact that teams stick to a European time zone, there is a cosy atmosphere and it is usual to see mechanics in race gear mingling in the bars for a beer after work.
Aside from the buzz that this night race brings to the F1 village, the Singapore GP also throws up a unique technical race that is not seen anywhere else.
The drivers will soon get used to driving around in the "dark" at the limit, but the awe of actually racing when the sun is down never leaves you throughout the whole weekend.
Along with Monaco, it is the only true street track, with no margin for error and absolute concentration a must.
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