Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes are ready to claim victories again after recording the longest win-less streak of his F1 career.
Last weekend’s race was the 11th consecutive grand prix Hamilton has failed to win. This is his longest streak without a victory since he became an F1 driver in 2007.But Hamilton admitted the gains Mercedes has made with its car in recent weeks have given him the belief they will be able to win again soon.
“A long, long way back, earlier this year, I definitely wasn’t sure we’d ever get a win in this car,” said Hamilton. “Obviously that’s not the way we like to think.
“But it was feeling that, Jesus, it’s a long, long way to catch everybody up, knowing the progress everyone makes.”
Mercedes has made “hugely encouraging” progress in recent weeks, said Hamilton. “For a long, long time we would make changes and not see it do what we [expected] it was going to do, or improve the car.”
The team made “a good step in Barcelona but then we had several difficult races following it,” he explained. “And then we just had these last two races which were quite strong and that’s really encouraged us that we’re moving in the right direction, that there really is potential in the car.
“With a little bit more digging, a little bit more hard work, we hopefully can get a bit closer to having a chance at winning a race. So I truly believe we can get a race win this year.”
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The British Grand Prix showed Mercedes need everything to align in their favour to beat the quicker Red Bulls and Ferraris, said Hamilton.
“In Silverstone there was definitely potential to win the race. But with our current performance we’re not on exactly the same level as the two teams ahead. We needed everything to align.
“So we didn’t need that Safety Car at the end, we needed not to have lost the time in the pit stop. In a perfect world, if we didn’t have the crash at the beginning, I would have been third.
“I feel like things happen for a reason. It was Carlos [Sainz Jnr’s] weekend, it was written that he would get his first win there, I’m really happy for him.
“Coming here, I think we’ve always struggled in Austria, so it’s going to be hard to win here, I think, knowing the combination of corners. But not impossible.
“The weather’s up and down so I’m hoping that we’re pleasantly surprised tomorrow, but I might be wrong. I’ll find out. But I’m staying hopeful and the best thing to do is arrive hopeful and positive and navigate from there.”
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2022 Austrian Grand Prix
- FIA affirms three sprint races on 2023 Formula 1 calendar
- “Oh, so unlucky!” How Alonso’s cursed Austrian Grand Prix unfolded on his radio
- Ferrari believe their performance deficit to Red Bull is now “negligible”
- Another fan’s experience of harassment last weekend – and why F1 must act
- AlphaTauri “desperately” need upgrades after “disaster” weekend, urges Gasly
MG1982 (@mg1982)
7th July 2022, 17:15
Hope not….
CheeseBucket
7th July 2022, 23:07
Oh be quiet.
MacLeod (@macleod)
8th July 2022, 7:51
I hope George gets a win :)
BasCB (@bascb)
8th July 2022, 11:17
Yeah, would be nice to see a strong comeback from George after the first DNF (and the end of his top 5 finishes) @macleod.
Personally, I would also like to get a Hamilton win or 2 this year to make the picture more complicated, although I think both Ferrari and Red Bull are still clearly faster than Mercedes, luck, reliability and Ferrari not making the right strategic calls can all give the Mercedes a chance to win.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
7th July 2022, 17:26
If this is not a sign of incredible priviledge, I don’t know what is.
Andre
7th July 2022, 17:48
What do you mean, exactly? That what he’s achieved is undeserved or acquired with ease? Privilege, one could argue, is to be a racing driver by heritage (Nico, Mick), or by father’s fortune (Stroll, Latifi).
The history of the Hamiltons should be looked at as an example for everyone, because it shows that it is hard, diligent work, with love, that pays off, not race or gender. Anthony Hamilton had to work several jobs to sustain Lewis’s carting career, and their work ethics and drive to succeed is at the core of what drove Lewis to 7 world titles. They worked hard and he had the talent that caught Ron Dennis’ eyes – to show again that F1 is all about performance, not about race or gender. Note that at the base of Lewis’s success is a father figure providing for the family and caring for the child. This is what many “unprivileged” families lack. It’s not the “patriarchy” that keeps them down. It’s culture (or value structure) and family structure, or lack thereof.
Lewis got into F1 for his talent, could have won in his rookie season, and he got the seat at Mercedes for his talent as well. Not only that, but he was never consistently beaten or dominated by any teammate.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
7th July 2022, 17:53
That it’s a privilege to spend an entire career, now in its 16th year, with teams at the front of the grid, to the point where going more than 10 races without a victory is a record.
Green Flag (@greenflag)
7th July 2022, 18:06
The best drivers get the best cars and the best cars get the best drivers. Always been that way.
Robbie (@robbie)
7th July 2022, 18:20
@greenflag Well…usually the case that one seat on the top teams is occupied by one of the best drivers at a given time, the other seat by a non-rooster more often than not.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
7th July 2022, 18:57
@greenflag
Alonso and even Verstappen (prior to 2021) might disagree with you.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
9th July 2022, 1:42
I agree with tifoso and whoever else thinks that way: yes, if you’re a bad driver you don’t tend to end up at a top team, but even if you are a top driver you’re not guaranteed to have an excellent car always: drivers like senna, schumacher, prost, had to work their way up from a bad car; alonso constantly was unlucky with team choices and very rarely had a good car, hamilton never made a wrong choice car-wise and that requires insight\luck, plus started with a championship contender, which is very rare.
oweng (@oweng)
7th July 2022, 21:06
Privilege rather than a right he’s earned?
CheeseBucket
7th July 2022, 23:08
Oh be quiet.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
7th July 2022, 17:57
I love that both he and George are fighting for every point so far.
As much as I am happy to see Max take another WDC, with Charles the main threat, it would be a bit special to see the Mercs claw their way painfully back into the fight.
Robbie (@robbie)
7th July 2022, 18:31
Of course you always have to have hope and a positive attitude and keep the noses to the grindstone. What else can you do, especially when you’re not fighting for wins? I think with Mercedes’ this year a win is only going to come from a fluke day, and really I’m sure they want that win any way they can get it and will claim rather than fluke or luck that you have to be there to capitalize, but anyway it’s still moot as they are not in the Championship fights this season. I’m certainly, from my armchair obviously, not convinced they should still pursue the design philosophy they’re on, unless they want to continue to hope on a wing and a prayer that the stars might align that they might maybe possibly be able to fight for ‘a’ win. But let’s see, right? One race at a time.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
9th July 2022, 1:43
Mmm, I’m not sure, they seem to be improving rapidly, I believe it could be a 2009-like situation, where at some point they can win races on merit.
Jere (@jerejj)
7th July 2022, 19:10
I reckon the same, at least one win each.
This way, Russell would get his maiden win, while Hamilton would keep his record of winning at least a single race each season he’s raced in F1.
Barry Bens (@barryfromdownunder)
7th July 2022, 20:38
Give this guy a pity win so he can keep his trap shut…
With every ‘ quote’ from this guy, I’m getting more excited for him to quit so I no longer have to put up with it.
SteveP
7th July 2022, 21:52
Sort of sums up my feelings too, so when are you quitting? :)
CheeseBucket
7th July 2022, 23:09
Oh be quiet.
Green Flag (@greenflag)
8th July 2022, 0:04
Are all you antipodes full of crap or is only you and Masi?
Bradders (@bradders)
10th July 2022, 11:26
Many of us feel the same way about you.
AlanD
8th July 2022, 4:07
Andre, good points. Likewise, Lando Norris is the son of wealthy businessman, with one report placing his father as 501st richest person in the UK, Hulkenberg’s father owns a shipping company, whilst Carlos Sainz Snr is a former world rally champion, and Max’s dad has done a few laps in F1 in the past too. Compare that with the ex-champions on the grid. Vettel’s father is, I believe, a self-employed carpenter, and when Alonso was a kid, his father was an explosives specialist in mining and his mother worked in a department store.
MacLeod (@macleod)
8th July 2022, 8:02
Max Dad (Jos) build up a little company after his F1 era as his father had a cafe so not from wealthy roots but i think you forgot Max Mother which the whole family were racers and the wealth to support this but after her crash and her inqury Max will be very supportive to his mum.
So if Vettel kids are going into racing they will have a good backer.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
8th July 2022, 8:11
Goodness there’s some ridiculous comments on here about privilege etc. Lewis’ background is far from privileged.
Looking at last weekend I think there is little doubt that Mercedes or Lewis might get a win this year if the conditions and events during the race work out well for them. As others have said though, I think a win would be a bit of a fluke. I doubt they are really going to challenge for wins consistently. I expect Lewis or George will still get podium finishes though.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
9th July 2022, 1:45
Why do some people try so hard to misunderstand stuff? They’re specifically talking about the luck with having constantly a great f1 car.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
9th July 2022, 1:46
Yes, I believe it should be possible, performance was also looking good in this quali session, it’s interesting to see how badly he wants to get a win this year, so goals changing depending on situation.