Hamilton must end losing streak at British Grand Prix, warns Hill
Lewis Hamilton must end his losing streak at this weekend’s British Grand Prix to stop Max Verstappen from executing a championship rout.
That is the verdict of Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, as Hamilton’s bid for a record-breaking eighth title faces another stern examination in front of 140,000 fansatSilverstoneonSunday.
Hamilton has excelled on home turf in recent seasons, taking the chequered flag in six of his past eight appearances.
But it is more than two months since he last won a race – the Spanish Grand Prix on May 9 – with Verstappen and his in-form Red Bull team threatening to run away with the title.
Last time out in Austria, Verstappendeliveredacrushingone-sideddisplaytoclaim his fourth win in five, and extend his championship lead over Hamilton to 32 points.
“Something has to swing Lewis’ way for it not to look like it is going to be a rout by Red Bull and Max Verstappen,” said Hill, speaking in his roleasapunditforSkySports.
“Mercedes have got some updates coming and typically Silverstone has been a good circuit for them. Lewis is not going to give up easily, butheneedsagoodresultthis weekend. I think he is going to get it.”
Hamilton, 36, has largely been in a class of one during Mercedes’ era of unprecedented dominance.
ButtheSilverArrows,winners of the past seven drivers’ andconstructors’championships,arenolongerthecream of the crop with the combination of Verstappen and Red Bull proving almost untouchable.