LEW HOMES IN
Hamilton goes flat out to catch Max
LEWIS HAMILTON believes success at the British Grand Prix can spark his season back into life.
The seven-time champion has been working overtime in a bid to make inroads on Max Verstappen’s lead, with the Dutchman establishing a healthy 32-point advantage over the Brit.
Hamilton has been putting in the hours in the simulator to iron out mechanical issues and sees this weekend’s inaugural sprint qualifier at Silverstone as another opportunity to grab muchneeded points. The distance between the two drivers – and teams – has been growing in recent weeks.
Verstappen has won the last three races but more worrying has been the victory margin, with Red Bull establishing a grip on this year’s drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
Hamilton said: “In the first four races we had the car to fight and it was great.
It’s not been too great in the last few. I’m hopeful and I’ve been working with the team to put us back in a position similar to the one where we were at the beginning of the year.
“That’s what sparked the season off as being as exciting as it was.
“Without doubt, when it’s your home GP and there’s the British crowd, you’ve got more heat behind you. With all these elements, I just hope and pray that we can close the gap.”
Hamilton may have seven successes at Silverstone under his belt already but he has still had to field criticism from Bernie Ecclestone this week.
The former F1 chief suggested that Hamilton was ‘not quite the fighter he was,’ suggesting that ‘there were lots of occasions this year when Lewis could have done better, but he hasn’t.’
Those were references to him sliding into the gravel at Imola and coming to grief in a battle with Sergio Perez in Baku.
But Hamilton responded to the comments saying: “I’m not the driver I was when I started. I think I’m better.”
FORMULA ONE yesterday unveiled its car for the 2022 season in what is billed as the biggest change in the sport’s history.
A four-year project has resulted changes aimed at making cars more sustainable, safer, cheaper – and with more action on the track.
F1’s managing director Ross Brawn said: “We want to see wheel-to-wheel competition.”