His victory on Sunday may have been a comfortable one, but Lewis Hamilton is vowing not to relent up in the final seven races insisting the battle with Ferrari remains as fierce as it has all year.
The triple world champion inherited the championship lead after his win at Monza as Mercedes finished well over 30 seconds clear of Sebastian Vet`tel at the Scuderia’s home race, moving three points clear of the German with his third win in four races.
Indeed, looking back over his recent results, the Briton admitted the first of that trio of successes was the catalyst that he used to move up another level.
“Silverstone was a real empowering weekend,” Hamilton said. “It kind of sparked a forest fire within me, and that’s hopefully reflecting in my driving and the way I’m working with my guys.
“I felt more heart and passion within myself, I’ve found more inside myself in the last three or four races,” he continued. “My heart is the engine and the power and the force behind what I do. My mind is really like the rudder, and I feel like it’s really steering me in the right direction.”
What has also helped is the last two circuits at Spa and Monza have better suited Mercedes over Ferrari due to their emphasis on power and the 32-year-old praised the efforts of his team as they continue to push development.
“It’s obviously an incredibly exciting season, and the last two races have been incredibly strong for us as a team,” he commented. “We’ve gone from strength from strength and really shown real strength and depth. I think it’s the way we have come together in this second half so far is exceptional but it’s still close and there’s still a long, long way to go.”
The final destiny of the F1 championship this year could well be decided in the next three races, as Singapore, Sepang and Suzuka are all circuits which from the data, should suit Ferrari more than particularly last two circuits.
“The fight will continue,” he predicted. “It’s been a long, long time that Sebastian has been leading the championship. With all the ups and down to now be just slightly ahead is a great feeling.
“He’s generally had a relatively comfortable lead most of the year. I think sometimes at 20-something points. I’d imagine that I’m, what is it, three points ahead? I’ll take that and I’m happy with that. I guess the plan for the next races is to try and extend that.”
Revealing how he expects to do that, he concluded: “[By] giving it absolutely everything we’ve got. It’s going to continue to be really close between us all but yeah, absolutely. Beast mode all the way to the last chequered flag!”
