Lewis Hamilton will try to take advantage of every advantage he can find this weekend to achieve an unprecedented and previously elusive 100th Formula 1 victory to reclaim the lead in the World Championship at the Russian Grand Prix.
Since winning the British Grand Prix in July under controversial circumstances, the seven-time champion couldn’t add to his 99 total wins and struggled to reach his century.
But after Hamilton survived another spectacular fall with Red Bull’s title rival Max Verstappen at Monza to watch their high-speed tangle on the first lap at Silverstone, Hamilton has the inviting opportunity to watch history for at the Sochi Autodrome on the banks of the Black River Mercedes to write sea on Sunday.
Not only is he aiming for a fifth record win in the former Olympic Park, Mercedes is unbeaten in all seven races there.
Verstappen, meanwhile, is starting the grid with a three-place penalty for his involvement in the collision in Italy in which his car landed on Hamilton, who escaped injury or worse thanks to the “Halo” cockpit safety device.
All of this suggests that the 36-year-old Brit has a great chance to improve the Dutchman’s five-point lead in the championship.
Verstappen can only start fourth at best if he’s the fastest in qualifying, but insists that he wasn’t to blame for her recent crash.
The 23-year-old is also optimistic about his offer to pick up Hamilton’s crown.
“The penalty is of course not ideal, but nothing is lost – that’s how I see it,” he said.
“There are a lot of races ahead of us in the championship and the lead is tiny. We will make the best of it and do our best.
“You can reflect whatever you want, but it’s more important to look ahead and keep pushing. I still think it was a racing accident.”
The story goes on
Verstappen finished second behind Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas last year and believes he can be very competitive on what is likely a wet race weekend.
“It’s completely different from Monza and I’m looking forward to seeing if we can improve on last year.”
– Hamilton “laser focused” –
Hamilton is said to have fully recovered from the headache and neck pain he suffered in Italy and, according to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, is in a good mood.
“Lewis is in the tenth championship fight of his F1 career and is focused on what he has to deliver over the next eight races,” he said, adding that Bottas, who is moving to Alfa Romeo next year, is driving. “Better than that ever “.
“There’s a calm determination in the team right now and the business end of a season, the battle for the championship, is exactly what we enjoy most.”
Mercedes leads Red Bull in the race for the constructors’ championship by 18 points. Sochi gives them a chance to extend that lead while McLaren, who won in Italy thanks to a rousing drive from Daniel Ricciardo, could pose a threat.
“I want to build on my performance in Monza and push for important points,” said the Australian. “But Sochi can be a difficult stretch to take.”
To make matters worse, Verstappen may take a new Honda engine – and with it another penalty that would bring him to the end of the grid, from where he could build an attack on the top five.
Hamilton also faces the same prospect but can postpone it to a later race.
With heavy rain forecasted, it will be a dangerous weekend for teams and drivers as the tension builds up again.
Another collision remains likely, although this time around Hamilton will hope to be out of reach for the young Dutchman’s boldest moves.
str / bsp / dj
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