Unfortunately for Ferrari the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday (Aug 27), an undoubted Mercedes-friendly circuit, will only compound matters.
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There is further practice Friday and again Saturday ahead of qualifying, where Hamilton will attempt to match Michael Schumacher’s record of 68 pole positions.
Lewis Hamilton has laughed off a suggestion that Formula One title rival Sebastian Vettel might become his Mercedes team-mate after the Ferrari driver indicated an announcement about his future was not imminent.
“It’s odd. When you’re racing for so long, it’s my 200th race, you would think that maybe your passion or your desire to win would fade”.
He was taken to the medical centre for checks, before returning to the pitlane, with his team beginning the long job of rebuilding the vehicle. I know I can go faster. “As long as I’m winning”. I feel very privileged. He has driven in a total of 86 races since that most recent victory, giving him the second longest win drought among active drivers who have won at least one Formula One race before in their career (Felipe Massa – 156 races). It’s insane to think that I’ve now done 200. I didn’t really find the rhythm the way I wanted to.
“I think the [championship] gap between us and Ferrari and Mercedes is too big to claw back”, he said.
“There have been so many highlights”.
With Mercedes top of the constructors’ standings and Bottas having won two races and finished on the podium in the past five grands prix, Hamilton expects the line-up to be retained next year.
Not that he could remember all of his races, or even select a favourite.
Sergio Perez is close to extending his deal to remain with Silverstone-based Sahara Force India for 2018, and the Mexican will lead the team’s attack in Belgium this weekend. Hamilton was two tenths clear of the field, and almost half-a-second ahead of Vettel, in Practice Two.
The 30-year-old German was almost half a second slower than his main title rival Lewis Hamilton who topped the times for Mercedes ahead of his 200th Grand Prix start. “We started on the right foot, the auto felt pretty good from the get go and we just went from strength to strength”, Hamilton said after FP2.
The battle between Hamilton and Vettel, a four-times champion, looks like going all the way to the final race in Abu Dhabi in November.
“I just love the track and it’ll be nice seeing so many orange (Dutch) fans in the grandstands”, he said. I want to be performing at the top level.
Interestingly, it was brought up that the Ferrari driver mentioned he considered retiring at the end of 2015. It’s about trying to minimise the losses if there are to be losses in those scenarios. “The motivation and determination in the factory are greater than ever”.
“Obviously I want to do well”.
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“I thought about lots of things over the summer break, but one thing for sure is I am here for blood, I am here to win and I am here to stay”.
