Hamilton eyes US turnaround
■ Lewis hopes to get back in title hunt with another win at US GP
LEWIS Hamilton will be hoping for a turnaround in his fortunes as the Formula One circus heads across the Atlantic for this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
The reigning world champion has suffered a torrid time in the last few weeks, with a blown engine ending his victory hopes in Malaysia and a fumbled start dropping him down the order last time out in Japan. Furthermore, the Mercedes star has also become embroiled in a bitter row with the press after he was criticised for using social media and playing with his smartphone during an official F1 press conference.
But the 31-year-old Brit will aim to put these distractions to the back of his mind as he prepares for the US race. He has won the last two outings at the Circuit of the Americas, so will be pushing for a hat-trick as he bids to close the 33-point gap to championshipleading team-mate Nico Rosberg.
“It’s a healthy margin for Nico,” explained Hamilton. “It is going very well for him, but I just have to try to do the best job I can.”
Rosberg certainly won’t be resting on his laurels, despite his big lead at the top of the table. The German has notched up nine wins so far this season, but is taking nothing for granted. “Of course I am well aware of the points, but there is still a long way to go,” he said. “And Lewis is always going to be tough to beat and is going to give it everything.” With the duo so far ahead in the standings and Mercedes securing the constructor’s title last time out, rivals have started to switch their focus to 2017, both in terms of technical development and driver choices.
Renault has revealed that it has signed a deal for 2017 with Force India star Nico Hulkenberg and is in advanced talks with Williams’ Valterri Bottas. If the Finn were to make the move, it would leave the British squad without drivers, as Felipe Massa is retiring at the end of the season.
However, bosses have hinted that 17-year-old development driver Lance Stroll could be in pole position for a seat after he sealed the European Formula 3 title earlier this month.
“Despite his big lead at the top of the championship table, Nico Rosberg won’t be resting on his laurels”