HAMILTON HUNGRIER THAN EVER
LEWIS HAMILTON will race in his 200th Grand Prix this weekend – and warns he has lost none of his hunger.
The three-time world champion trails Sebastian Vettel by 14 points as they restart hostilities at the Belgian Grand Prix after the summer break.
And Hamilton, who has spent his downtime in America, Barbados and Cuba, said: “I thought about how many races I have left, and how many seasons I have left.
“The one thing that’s for sure, and the most prominent thing, is that I am here for blood. I am here to win. I am here to stay.
“When you have been racing for so long, you would think the passion and desire to win would fade, but it is stronger than ever, and that’s exciting for me.”
The fast-sweeping nature of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is expected to suit Hamilton’s Mercedes car, and today he bids to match Michael Schumacher’s all-time pole record in qualifying.
Now 32, he added: “There have been so many amazing moments over these 10 years. It has been such a blessing and such a great experience.
“I have learnt from the bad races and the difficult times, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.”
Tomorrow’s race threatens to be hit by bad weather, but that would suit Hamilton, who set the pace in yesterday’s second practice session.
The former world champion was 0.262 seconds quicker than Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas third. Vettel was fifth quickest, 0.482secs down.