Lewis Hamilton admits it’s now ‘highly unlikely’ that he can maintain his incredible winning record
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Lewis Hamilton admits it is now ‘highly unlikely’ he will be able to maintain his incredible record of winning one race per season after defeating in the thrilling US Grand Prix… while bemoaning lack of ‘real pace’ from Mercedes against Red Bull and rival Max Verstappen
- Lewis Hamilton believes his stunning win record is likely to end this season
- The seven-time world champion has won at least one race per season in his career
- The Briton was defeated by Max Verstappen in the closing laps of the American Grand Prix
- Hamilton admitted Red Bull has been the ‘fastest car’ in F1 so far this year
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Lewis Hamilton has admitted it is “highly unlikely” he will extend his unique record of winning at least one race in every season of his career after missing out on victory with just six laps to go from a thrilling Grand Prix of The United States.
Max Verstappen was another pawn for him, leaving the Briton in second for the third time this year – a signal of Red Bull’s dominance, which Hamilton says will be difficult to reverse.
Hamilton’s blunt assessment came after he was initially more optimistic having just stepped out of the cockpit. But an hour or two later at the Circuit of the Americas, the seven-time world champion said: ‘We have to be realistic. The Red Bull car has been by far the fastest all year.
Lewis Hamilton’s sensational GP-winning record will continue ‘highly unlikely’ this season
The Mercedes driver (green) was beaten by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the US Grand Prix
“It was great to have started third and to be in a position to fight for the win, but at full speed they were ahead of us all weekend. They were (on Sunday) and will be at the next three races.
“Unless something drastic happens to them, it’s highly unlikely we’ll have the real pace to compete with them. This was probably one of our best chances to win. But we will give everything we have.’
Hamilton’s next crack comes in Mexico City on Sunday for the final two rounds in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton (right) admitted it is ‘highly unlikely’ he will beat Verstappen (left) in the remaining three races
Hamilton led Verstappen into the last 10 laps of the US Grand Prix on Sunday
In reality, Hamilton would never have made it such a fight on Sunday without an unusually poor stop from Red Bull who kept Verstappen in his pit box for 11 seconds.
Verstappen had to pass Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and then Hamilton to score his record 13 wins, equaling Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. Red Bull also claimed their first constructors’ title since 2013.
Asked if that demonstration of strength indicates the pendulum is swinging from Mercedes to Red Bull on a more permanent basis, Hamilton added: “It’s too early to say but if we go into next year and they dominate again then yes .
Verstappen overtook Hamilton with six laps left of the US race to take another important win
“The Ferraris were faster than Red Bull in qualifying. Now all they need to do is pick up their race pace and they will be with them.
“We are working on a car that can fight, but we have to climb a much steeper hill. Hopefully it’s not impossible.’