Hamilton has F1 uncertainty two years after moment he "wasn't sure would come"
Exactly two years ago today, Lewis Hamilton became the first Formula 1 driver ever to reach 100 race victories.
It was a landmark moment, even if it wasn't another new record set by the Brit. He had already eclipsed Michael Schumacher's total of 91, but this was a nice, round 100. One hundred. Only four drivers in history have more than 50.
Max Verstappen is not far away from making it five. Victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday was his 48th and he will surely surpass the half-century mark before the end of this year. He turns 26 in a few days and has plenty of time left to catch Hamilton.
The Brit secured race win number 100 at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, taking advantage of Lando Norris' misfortune as a rainstorm swept the circuit in the latter stages. It came 14 years and 108 days after Hamilton's first win, in just his sixth F1 race, at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix.
"It has taken a long time to get to 100 and I wasn't even sure if it would come," said Hamilton in Sochi, then 36. "It is a magical moment. I could only have dreamed of still being here, to have this opportunity to win these races, and to drive with such phenomenal talents this late on in my career."
Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"
We clearly was still there, though. He still is now. And he still will be another two years from now, having penned a contract extension with Mercedes which means he will still be racing for the team and in F1 until the end of 2025, a few weeks shy of his 41st birthday.
It remains to be seen whether this will be his last F1 contract. Whether or not he will have the chance within that timeframe of ending his already lengthy win drought in that time – by far the longest in his career – is also unknown.
Hamilton is stuck on 103 F1 wins and with a drought that has grown to almost two years (HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)So dominant have been the Red Bulls this year that Mercedes haven't had a sniff. The Singapore Grand Prix provided an opportunity with Verstappen's team suffering an incredibly rare off weekend, but the Silver Arrows were not able to take advantage and it was Ferrari's Carlos Sainz who prevailed.
Verstappen was untouchable again at Suzuka on Sunday. Hamilton gave a defeatist verdict before he had even qualified for that race, declaring after Friday practice: "We definitely won't be winning this weekend." Not with that attitude, Lewis.
The next major regulation changes are not due until 2026. There is genuine chance that Red Bull's advantage over the rest of the field could be locked in until then. From a neutral's standpoint, let's hope not – as extraordinary and impressive as their achievements have been, exciting battles for race wins and titles are essential if the sport is to avoid a dearth of interest from its fanbase.
The Singapore race proved that. With Verstappen and Sergio Perez out of contention, there were four drivers fighting for the win at the start of the final lap. Then came the drama of George Russell crashing out as he pushed too hard for that victory. It was a real nail-biter.
It was evidence of that actually intense level of competition F1 has enjoyed this season. Take Red Bull out of the equation and, at different points, Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston Martin and McLaren have all been the next-fastest team on the grid. Imagine how much fun a five-way title battle between them all would be? And why limit it there? Let's get Alpine involved too. Maybe even another team.
Sadly, Red Bull's stranglehold appears to be too firm right now. And that presents a real danger to Hamilton's hopes not only of an eighth title, but perhaps even a 104th race win.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
