Lewis Hamilton now “truly believes” he will maintain one of his most significant Formula 1 records in 2022 after the British Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion was the fastest driver for much of the race at Silverstone, a point he made to Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz on Thursday after the pit-lane reporter had claimed Lewis had the “fastest car” last Sunday.
And that has now convinced Hamilton he will extend his run of having won a race in every season he has competed since debuting in 2007.
“Yes, there was a long way back, earlier this year – I definitely wasn’t sure we would ever get a win in this car,” he said via Formula1.com.
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“Obviously that’s not the way we like to think, but there was a feeling that ‘Jesus, there’s a long, long way we have to catch everyone’, knowing the progress that everyone makes.
“But then we just had this last race, or the last two races, which were quite strong, and that’s really encouraged us that we’re moving in the right direction that there really is potential in the car and, with a little bit more digging and a little bit more hard work, hopefully, we can get a bit closer to having a chance at winning a race.
“So I truly believe we can get a race win this year.”
Reflecting on the British GP, Hamilton echoed comments by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who suggested victory had been possible without the Safety Car interruption.
“Well, definitely in Silverstone there was potential to win the race,” he said.
“With our current performance, we’re not on the same – exactly the same – level as the two teams ahead.
“THROUGH GOES HAMILTONNNN”
That double overtake ? Even though we couldn’t hold onto the position… bravo, Lewis. What a move! ?pic.twitter.com/rPMH8qC5H6
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 4, 2022
“We needed everything to align, so we didn’t need that Safety Car at the end; we needed not to have lost the time in the pit stop… in a perfect world, if there hadn’t been the crash at the beginning, I would have been third [into Turn 2].
“So, I feel like things all happen for a reason. I think it was Carlos’s weekend. It was written that he’d get his first win there, which I’m really happy for him.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s Sprint weekend in Spielberg though, Hamilton is much less confident about Mercedes’ chances.
“Coming here, I think we’ve always struggled in Austria so it’s going to be hard to win here,” he added.
“I think, knowing the combination of the corners – but not impossible. The weather’s up and down so I’m hoping that we’re pleasantly surprised tomorrow – but I might be wrong.
“I’ll find out, but I’m staying hopeful and the best thing you do is to arrive hopeful and positive and navigate from there.”