Nobody can stop Hamilton winning a seventh title, admit rivals
- Published on 04 Aug 2020 09:52
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Nobody can halt Lewis Hamilton's charge to a seventh world drivers' title in 2020, believe two of his closest rivals.
Hamilton extended his lead at the top of the championship standings on Wednesday, winning at his home grand prix at Silverstone after suffering a puncture on the final lap of the race.
His teammate Valtteri Bottas also sustained a puncture, which dropped him out of the points after he made a pit stop.
Hamilton is now 30 points clear of Bottas in the standings, having won the last three races. Max Verstappen, who was tipped as a title contender heading into the season, is 36 points down on the Briton.
When asked if anyone can stop the Mercedes driver from achieving another title this year, Verstappen replied: “No.”
Charles Leclerc, who currently sits fifth in the championship, added: “The question is ‘can anybody stop Lewis?’ No. I think the guy that has some chances is Valtteri – but that’s it.”
With Mercedes' advantage at the front of the field appearing to be as strong as ever, Hamilton states that he would much prefer to be involved in a fight with drivers from rival teams, such as Verstappen and Leclerc.
“I’m a through and through racer at heart,” Hamilton explained. “I’ve grown up, particularly when you’re in karting, you’ve got the wheel-to-wheel racing, that’s what has always excited me, and that’s what gets me up in the morning.
“This is not the championship fight I would have hoped for. I’d much, much prefer to be having a super-close battle with these two here because that’s what gets me going.
“I think I’m still putting in the laps that are required but it’s not a close battle with Max in qualifying and the same with Charles. I really, really hope that in future it’s closer.”
Mercedes, who has won 74% of all grand prix since the start of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014, can't be blamed for its dominance, according to Hamilton.
“It’s the rules. Ultimately every team is given rules and at the end of the day we’ve just done an exceptional job collectively and you can’t fault my team for that,” Hamilton noted.
“That’s not our fault. You have to look at the people that run the sport doing a better job moving forwards, I would say, ruling-wise. I think they’re showing some signs.
“I think Ross is showing us a car for the future that’s going to have us all closer. Hopefully it’s not as slow as a GP2 car, and then hopefully we’ll get some more-like karting races in the future.”
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Replies (5)
Login to replyDert38
Posts: 376
oh no forgot about pettel ((((((((((((((((((
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
This year is reminding me a lot of 2002, one of the worst WDC I remember. That is not to say the races weren't exciting and that the sport sucks. But the WDC battle itself was one of the worst ever. This year is looking to be the same. Bottas is a slightly better version of Rubens Barrichello.
2014-2016 would have been horrible were it not for Rosberg rattling Lewis constantly, but Bottas is through-and-through #2. I'm sure he'll pick up a couple of wins this year, but he will get nowhere near the WDC. A shame really, because just like in 2002, I think Lewis would be able to battle it out with anyone, but this championship will just lack some of the luster of the others because of the lack of competition.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Lewis is not unstoppable MB is. Id like to see Max and lewis going head to head same car. Lewis in his career was not great managing tires because he was always trying to go faster. When at 90% of your performance window destroys your rivals you look good on the tires. Toto can bring back Bottas 2-3% with mode changes, air pressure changes to ensure the 1 2 finish they want.
greatbigdong
Posts: 53
All it takes is a DNF from Lewis and its on again. But what I am really disappointed about is Ferrari and Red Bull not being competitive - not just that, they are further from Merc this year than last. Lewis is right - the rules need to be better at bringing the field together. Yes those that put more resources in should do better, but not to have a 1 second gap to the nearest rival - the rules need to be tighter so this doesn't happen.
siggy74
Posts: 194
Maybe we have 2 wheels left on his wagon..... this weekend,ROFL