Hamilton is gunning for a place in F1’s all-time top 10
ONLY nine drivers have been crowned Formula One champion at least three times.
Just four races into this season, Lewis Hamilton is already hopeful of adding his name to that list this year.
The Mercedes driver led from the start of yesterday’s Bahrain Grand Prix and was never in danger as he took his third victory of 2015 to open up a 27-point cushion over team-mate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton has won nine of the last 11 grands prix and will take some stopping to add to his titles of 2008 and 2014.
Sir Jackie Stewart — the only British triple world champion — was doing the podium interviews in Sakhir and asked Hamilton to gauge his chances of joining the elite club.
“I’m gunning for it,” said Hamilton. “For us, as a team, we have shown Mercedes are still the best and we are working as hard as we can to maintain the momentum.
“Ferrari are pushing very hard to close up but I’m so really happy and proud of everyone for all the hard work they have put in.”
Hamilton was accused of sexist bullying after spraying champagne in the face of hostess, Liu Siying, following his win in China eight days ago. He was a touch more restrained in Bahrain where, as in other races in the Middle East fizzy rose water replaces champagne, and even got a taste of his own medicine from Rosberg.
The German finished third, having been overtaken by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen two laps from the end after suffering break failure.
“It was very disappointing that Kimi got me but I had no chance to defend my position,” said Rosberg.
Although this was Raikkonen’s first appearance on the podium since 2013, the Finn was far from satisfied.
“You cannot feel happy — we are happy to be second but it’s still disappointing,” he said. “It’s not what we want to do but I’m sure we are only going to get stronger.”