Hamilton ignores the statistics but aims to beat odds after poor start

Hamilton is ready to defy the odds by defending his Formula One world championship despite nearing 200 days without a victory.

The 33-year-old British driver is winless from the opening three rounds, and without a victory in his last six appearances dating back to October’s United States Grand Prix.

Hamilton has been off the pace in recent races and heads into tomorrow’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix nine points adrift of championship leader Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton was only fifth here in practice yesterday and again behind his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who has out-qualified him at the last two rounds.

It is almost three decades since champion Alain Prost failed to win any of the first four races before winning the 1989 championship. Prost was the last driver to achieve such a feat.

“I don’t think about statistics and I am always one for wanting to defy the odds ,” said hamilton, pictured. “If we don’t win this weekend I plan on changing that statistic.

“Do I feel the need for the win? I am enjoying the battle and the whole experience, and that is what motorsport is all about. Finishing first is obviously a great feeling, but it always feels better when you have come from further back. “When it feels like you have had a harder slog to get that victory, the win always feels better so when it does arrive, it is going to be great.”

The Baku Street Circuit has not been kind to Hamilton since its debut on the calendar in 2016. He finished only fifth in that first race before a loose headrest cost him victory a year ago.

Last year’s grand prix was also noteworthy for Hamilton’s collision with Vettel in which the Ferrari driver deliberately rammed into his Mercedes rival, believing he had brake-tested him during a safety car period.

Vettel was penalised during the race, then escaped with a slap on the wrists by the FIA.

“It is good to see fire in the people you compete with and it is also good to see they are not perfect,” said Hamilton as he reflected on the flashpoint. “We all make mistakes, but it is how people handle those mistakes and how they progress that matters.

“Sebastian has continued to progress as a champion in how he presents himself, how he speaks, and how he continues to grow. The respect between us has grown by a considerable amount since, and I am sure it will continue.”

Daniel Ricciardo, who won here last year, finished clear of Kimi Raikkonen with Max Verstappen third in practice. Vettel was 11th after he failed to put a decent lap together.