Lewis Hamilton heads to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix looking to secure a milestone Formula One win, while Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg will be hoping to end his August curse.
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“In terms of winning, it’s going to be very, very hard”, said the triple world champion.
“Beyond that penalty I’ll eventually take, I think I’ll be able to continue with the momentum I had before the break”.
The extent of the penalty depends on how many extra engine components Mercedes decides to use this weekend, but Hamilton is expected to start at least 15-places lower than the position he qualifies in on Saturday. Despite his grid penalty, Hamilton is still dreaming of winning his 50th Grand Prix, to be run around the historic Spa Francorchamps circuit, but remains realistic over his chances.
Hamilton started from the back in China and finished seventh. However, Mercedes may choose to stock up on components for later in the year by taking two new sets of all components (for example), which would result in Hamilton starting from the very back of the grid (assuming other drivers are not also impacted by grid penalties).
A number of mechanical problems in the early phase of Hamilton’s title defence contributed to him falling 43 points behind Rosberg, who was allowed to cruise to four victories from the opening four rounds of the season.
“It will be harder than it was last year or year before to climb through field, It will be about minimising the damage of taking a penalty”.
“For me, it’s like a clean slate at this stage”, Rosberg said.
Lewis Hamilton has vowed to do all he can to “minimise the impact” after Mercedes confirmed that he will take an engine penalty at the Belgian GP. “What’s happened so far this season is in the past, and I can’t wait to get in that auto, put my foot down and get everything I can from these next races”.
“I’m feeling refreshed, re-energised and ready to go after a fun few weeks off, so hopefully everyone else has had a good rest too and we’ll come out fighting”. “Honestly, I really don’t know how far I can get”.
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“And I have to reckon with Lewis because there is no reason with a safety auto or something why he can’t be right in the reckoning”.
