Picture Credit: Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes Petronas had a strong showing in the recent British Grand Prix as he finished third in an incredible high-intensity race. Based on his performance at his home GP, Hamilton feels that the Silver Arrows ‘can win this year’ despite falling back in the constructor’s and drivers’ championship race behind Red Bull and Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion feels that the three consecutive podium finishes have uplifted his team and have convinced him that they are moving in the right direction. He added: “With a bit more hard work, hopefully, we can get closer to having a chance of winning. I truly believe we can get a race win this year.”
“There was a long way back,” he said. “Earlier this year I definitely wasn't sure we would ever get a win in this car, but that was not the way we like to think. It felt there's a long way to catch everyone up knowing the progress everyone makes.”
Hamilton then talked about how everything needs to fall in place for them to compete with other companies. “At Silverstone, there was definitely potential to win the race," he said. “With our current performance, we are not at the same level as the teams ahead of us - we needed everything to align.”
He then addressed the difficulties of their team at the Austrian Grand Prix. Hamilton pointed out that track specifics of the Red Bull ring which has high-speed corners. He said, “We have always struggled in Austria so it is going to be hard to win here knowing the combination of corners. But not impossible. The weather is up and down. I am hopeful we will be pleasantly surprised tomorrow, but I might be wrong. But I am staying hopeful.”
The 36-year-old also spoke about the massive accident involving Zhou Guanyu at the start of the British Grand Prix. Hamilton said, "We take risks out there, real risks, at crazy speeds. Sometimes people take it for granted. We are not just cruising around, we are exposed in a couple of areas and we have to not take that for granted."