GOD ALP THEM
Herbert warns Hamilton’s rivals that the champion is at the peak of his powers as he chases Schumacher’s record haul
LEWIS HAMILTON’S Formula One rivals have been warned that the defending champion is at the peak of his powers.
The Briton has two records in his sights: to equal Michael Schumacher’s haul of seven world titles, and to pass the German’s 91 Grand Prix wins.
That quest for history got off to a stumbling start in Austria last weekend, but Hamilton has a chance to bounce back at the Styrian GP at the same Red Bull Ring in Spielberg tomorrow.
In fact, the 35-year-old has made a winning start to his season just once in the last six years, but has romped to five stunning titles in an unprecedented period of dominance for Mercedes.
And Sky Sports F1 expert
Johnny Herbert says Hamilton’s current set-up with the Mercedes team is perfect for him to flourish – unlike Ferrari and their departing driver Sebastian Vettel.
“Mercedes allow Lewis to be free,” said Herbert. “He has no pressure on his shoulders at all – he goes out and does what he does.
“But Sebastian has the Tifosi fans on his shoulders, the media on his shoulders, Ferrari on his shoulders. The pressures have never been relieved.
“That’s what Lewis has been given now since he has joined Mercedes – freedom to do what he wants, as long as he does the job in the car.
“And my god he does that! I love what I see now, it excites me. I think we are probably at the peak of Lewis. This is the peak.”
Herbert (right) won three races during an F1 career which spanned 12 seasons and saw him race alongside some of the biggest icons in the sport.
And he has backed Hamilton – who has a string of outside interests including fashion, music and leading F1’s fight for equality
– to continue to be different to the sport’s biggest names.
“It keeps him happy,” he said. “Every driver I have known, from Ayrton Senna to Nigel Mansell, to Damon Hill or Jacques Villeneuve, they are all different in what they do and how they put themselves across when they were drivers and when they stopped. “Niki Lauda and James Hunt as well. James was a totally different animal to Niki, but it worked for him and it worked for Niki, as it works for Lewis in all the stuff he does.”
Hamilton burst on to the scene in 2007 as a fresh-faced Mclaren rookie who missed out on a remarkable maiden title triumph by just one point.
The Briton has since gone on to become arguably the greatest driver of all time, with 84 race wins and the most pole positions.
“I’m very lucky seeing this young kid, who came in and should have won it in the first season,” added Herbert.
“Then to see him grow. It’s the growth – it’s quite scary in a way because he’s so strong at the moment.”
Hamilton finished sixth in practice yesterday, as Daniel Ricciardo limped away from a high-speed crash.
Ricciardo was taken to the medical centre after losing control of his Renault through the ninth corner.
Hamilton ended 0.688sec down on Red Bull pacesetter Max Verstappen.
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