McIlroy’s big move
Sensational romp to title dazzles Damon
DAMON HILL has been blown away by Lewis Hamilton this season.
The 34-year-old is bidding to close out the title at tomorrow’s US Grand Prix. If he does it will take him to within one of Michael Schumacher’s record haul of seven. Hamilton, a winner in five of his previous seven visits to Austin, only needs to finish eighth to secure a crown that will strengthen his standing as one of the finest drivers of all time. Hill knows a thing or two about F1 greats, having raced against Ayrton Senna in the early 1990s and then famously pipping Schumacher to secure his one and only title triumph in 1996. And he is drawn to the dominance that has
MATT MALTBY shown by Hamilton this year which has left Hill licking his lips.
“He is an unbelievable racer, and this year he is set to achieve his sixth world title almost at a sub-optimal level. He hasn’t had to sweat too much,” said Hill.
“There have been races where he has had to pull something out of the hat but it seems as though he can go to his locker and there is more in reserve.”
On an emotional weekend in Monaco, Hamilton withstood constant pressure from Max Verstappen to seal a win dedicated to the late Niki Lauda.
And just last week in Mexico, he nursed his tyres home to seal a magnificent victory that edged him closer to the title.
Hill added: “He is at the height of his powers. He has the experience, he has the knowledge and he has the comfort of having five world titles already. too easy for him.
“Winning his sixth championship will take him to within one of Michael’s record haul. Lewis shares his emotions, but Michael was very guarded – you never knew how he was feeling.
“They both share an extraordinary seat-of-the-pants ability which make them almost superbeen
It is almost (inset) natural. Lewis wants to win fair and square. That is to his credit.”
Hamilton’s £40m-a-year deal with Mercedes finishes at the end of next season and he has yet to commit his long-term future to the team.
But Hill thinks he would be silly to turn down a new contract.
He said: “Lewis’ future is matter of motivation.
“He has a lot of interests away from Formula One, but if you said to him in five years, when he is 39, ‘Do you want to drive a world championship-winning car?,’ I would be surprised if he turned it down.
“Lewis is knocking on that door of being the best ever in terms of victories and championships, and his career needs to be recognised.
“The level of his achievements are simply extraordinary and phenomenal.” all a
■ GOLF
RORY McILROY closed with an eagle to finish the second round of the WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai one shot behind leader Matthew Fitzpatrick.
McIlroy produced the shot of the day at the 538-yard 18th, rolling to within three feet before sinking his putt for a second successive five-under 67.
England’s Fitzpatrick sank birdies at the third, 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th as he also carded 67.