Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Hamilton happy
‘It has been very tough season up till now’
LEWIS Hamilton believes Formula One’s summer break has arrived at the right time after conceding his championship battle against Sebastian Vettel is proving to be the most difficult of his decade-long career.
The 32-year-old British driver lost further ground to Vettel in this year’s title race after he selflessly gave up third place to his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton is now 14 points behind Vettel, who took the chequered flag at the Hungaroring to claim his fourth victory of the year, in a championship race which the German has led from the outset.
Hamilton has also won four times this year, in China, Spain, Canada and at Silverstone, too, but those victories have been surrounded by a number of inconsistent displays.
For now, Hamilton is officially off-duty, and his first port of call is understood to be Colorado.
A trip to Barbados for the Crop Over festival, a favourite destination of Hamilton’s in recent years, is also likely to be in the offing.
“I definitely feel like the summer break has come at a good time,” Hamilton said.
“It has been a very tough year, physically, mentally and emotionally for everyone at the team.
“It has been a difficult season up until now.
“However, I think this break will be really good for everyone to recharge their batteries and, hopefully, come back fresh.
“I encourage my team to come back strong — and I’ll try to come back even stronger and make sure I am ready for the battles ahead.”
Hamilton would have started the second half of the season, which reconvenes at Belgium’s SpaFrancorchamps Circuit in the final week of August, 11 points behind Vettel had he not relinquished third to Bottas on the final corner on Sunday.
Hamilton started the final lap eight seconds ahead of Bottas, before then yielding for his team-mat as the race drew to a close.
However, the Briton still believes he can usurp Vettel and claim his fourth title.
“I don’t think I will ever get those three points back,” Hamilton went on.
“We have given up a lot of points, and Ferrari have given up a lot less as a team.
“I truly believe we have the capability of winning this championship but it is going to take absolutely 100% of everyone’s effort to pull it off.”
Bottas is 33 points adrift of Vettel in the title race, and 19 shy of Hamilton.
Ferrari have thrown their full support behind Vettel, with Kimi Raikkonen, who is 86 points behind his team-mate, playing second fiddle for the Italian marque.