LEWIS ROARS BACK
World champ says he has nothing to prove in Abu Dhabi
ThERE is one unmistakable reason why Lewis hamilton has folded away his sick bed to take part in this dead rubber in the desert. It is called George Russell.
In his brief interviews ahead of the abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion could barely bring himself to mention the 22-year-old who stood in for him a week ago and would have won the sakhir race in Bahrain but for two cruel twists of fate — a botched pit stop and a late puncture.
Hamilton (below) was laid low by Covid-19 and, by the sound of what he said yesterday, watched Russell’s mastery of his Mercedes machinery through his fingers. Perhaps from behind a chaise longue in the Bahraini royal palace that was his refuge.
Never mind that hamilton’s status in Formula One and British sport is assured — more poles, more wins and as many titles as anyone in history — the need to prove himself time and again, a lingering insecurity, is his endless spur.
There is also the matter of an unsigned contract. By missing out for a second time and allowing Russell another chance to demonstrate his own rich but young talent, he would hardly have strengthened his bargaining position. He is seeking a £40million-ayear deal in the teeth of opposition from the Daimler board in stuttgart, aware of the impoverished state of the car industry, so each deft turn of the wheel by a potential pretender to his seat is as welcome as gout. So he was flown to abu Dhabi by private jet and tested on arrival, having been granted dispensation to arrive here later than most of the 1,200-strong Formula One contingent. according to one high-placed source, he remained on board the plane until his negative result came in.
And he set the fifth fastest time in the first practice session yesterday as he suffered brake problems. he was then second fastest later under lights, with team-mate Valtteri Bottas quickest.
‘I don’t need to do any more to seal what I have done,’ said hamilton defensively. ‘I don’t feel I have anything to prove. I am just here to have some fun.’
And Russell’s super- sub display? ‘George did an amazing job, and everyone knows that,’ he added with a warmth President Macron reserves for British fishing rights. ‘In my 27 years of racing I hadn’t missed a race. It was definitely odd. One day I will write a book about it.’
Hamilton — without his trusty trainer angela Cullen, who is still self-isolating, this weekend — declined to talk about his coronavirus experience, saying: ‘I am good. I am happy to be back.
‘It (the virus) is not something I really want to go into deeply, that’s for sure. I am just happy to be back in the car and grateful to be back with the team.
‘The car wasn’t quite the way it was when I left it. the balance wasn’t the same. I’m working my way back to where I’m comfortable.’
Kimi Raikkonen had a more lively day, when the engine of his alfa Romeo blew. he calmly removed the steering wheel as the flames lapped the rear of his car.
Even in the wake of Romain Grosjean’s serious fire a fortnight ago, the Iceman’s sangfroid did not melt and he stepped out without hurry.
As for hamilton, he will be as desperate to notch his 96th win tomorrow as he was his first in 2007. that is him to a tee.