Lewis Hamilton hopes to mark three hundredth F1 race with first win of season
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Lewis Hamilton enters his three hundredth Method One race on the French Grand Prix this weekend within the uncustomary place of chasing a primary win this season.
The seven-time world champion has a file 103 F1 wins and pole positions. The 37-year-old British driver additionally shares two information with fellow nice Michael Schumacher: seven world titles and successful a minimum of one race for 15 straight seasons. Schumacher's run was from his F1 debut in 1992 till 2006; Hamilton's since his first season in 2007.
However Hamilton is with out a win 12 races into this season. He's inching nearer heading into this weekend's French Grand Prix, after three straight podium finishes since Mercedes ironed out ongoing points with bouncing.
“It has been actually constructive to have some consistency come again in. We're continually including efficiency, we're continually progressing and there is a lot to come back,” Hamilton mentioned. “Within the final race (in Austria) we had been just a few tenths (of a second) off the lead guys in qualifying.”
Hamilton chosen his first F1 win in 2007, his first title in 2008, and successful on his dwelling monitor at Silverstone as standout recollections amongst many.
“The entire realization of reaching your dream is a really, very surreal expertise and it's at all times going to be your first,” Hamilton mentioned. “The quantity of sleepless nights as a household that every one of us had had, not figuring out whether or not or not we might truly attain our purpose, attain our dream, however by no means giving up.”
There have been intense rivalries: final season Pink Bull star Max Verstappen clinched the title in controversial circumstances on the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP. A bitter defeat to Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in 2016 and a few tussles with Fernando Alonso in 2007 with McLaren.
When Hamilton confronted Alonso, the Spaniard had already gained his two F1 titles.
“Out of pure tempo, I at all times say it is Fernando (who was the hardest opponent). We had some good battles, I want we might have extra," Hamilton mentioned. “I keep in mind the duty of being alongside Fernando after I was 22. I used to be so younger mentally and naturally, okay when it comes to ability, nevertheless it's a variety of strain to go towards an excellent."
Alonso agrees.
“He has been an incredible driver and a legend. Again then most likely nobody thought that somebody will be capable to win seven titles like Michael,” Alonso mentioned. “Congratulations for the 300 and hopefully one other win quickly.”
Hamilton was sitting out first observe on the French GP later Friday, with check and reserve driver Nyck de Vries taking his place only for that run.
IN-FORM SCHUMACHER
Mick Schumacher is on a roll: after 31 races with out scoring factors, he goals for a 3rd straight factors end.
The 23-year-old German feels the strain has been lifted amid a tough season. The best way he crashed with out strain on the Monaco GP in Could led to some criticism from Haas group principal Guenther Steiner.
Schumacher's lack of kind — 14th in Azerbaijan and one other DNF in Canada — additionally led to questions on his F1 future.
He responded by putting eighth on the British GP and sixth on the Austrian GP two weeks in the past. He confirmed elevated confidence in each races, audaciously going wheel-to-wheel with world champion Max Verstappen and Hamilton.
Schumacher feels extra snug within the automotive than earlier within the season.
“It is only a matter of being in step with what we're doing. I feel we at all times just about begin off with a superb set-up,” Schumacher mentioned.
4-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel, a household good friend, was driving behind Schumacher at Silverstone and cheered him because the end line approached.
“I feel Mick is heading in the right direction . . . it is nice for him to point out what he is able to," Vettel mentioned. “He had an unfortunate begin to the season. “
VETTEL STAYING?
Vettel appears eager to increase his keep at Aston Martin.
His contract runs out on the finish the 12 months and, with an rising dedication to environmental points weighing on his thoughts, observers have questioned whether or not he'll proceed.
“I feel there's a clear intention to maintain going and we'll see quickly the place we stand," Vettel mentioned. “I am speaking to the group.”
The 35-year-old German driver has solely three prime 10 finishes this season with a better of sixth place in Azerbaijan. He laughed off rumors linking him to McLaren subsequent season, with Daniel Ricciardo's future unsure.
“I feel Lando (Norris) has a contract," Vettel mentioned in his deadpan method, earlier than cracking a cheeky smile. "It is simply rumors.”
SPA OR RICARD?
Not an excellent consequence for the French Grand Prix: most drivers in an off-the-cuff survey selected the Belgium Grand Prix when requested which of the 2 they might preserve if they'd a say.
Each races — at Paul Ricard in southeastern France and Spa Francorchamps within the Ardennes forest — are reportedly threatened with being changed on the collection.
Of the ten drivers requested on Thursday, solely Pierre Gasly — who's French — and Fernando Alonso, who drives for French group Alpine, selected Paul Ricard.
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