Robert Kubica has suggested Lewis Hamilton’s ability rather than a dominant Mercedes enabled him to claim a sixth Formula 1 title.
The Briton essentially wrapped up the 2019 championship after winning eight of the first 10 races this season, as Ferrari and Red Bull struggled either for performance or reliability.
But while the lack of constant competition was a factor, the Williams driver suggested Hamilton’s ability to capitalise on opportunities was more important.
“I think number six says everything,” he said to journalists at Interlagos earlier this week.
“Especially I think this season he has shown that even in many races where he was not in the fastest car he was still able to win those races or make the difference.
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“This is what I think makes Lewis a tough guy to beat, or nearly impossible. So it’s tough for the others, it’s good for him.
“I’m happy for him. We’ve known each other for very long and he showed this year some extraordinary driving. I think this year in some races he was really doing a hell of a job.”
Hamilton and Kubica have a healthy respect after coming through the junior series into F1 together in the late 2000s before the Pole’s rally crash in 2011 ended a very promising career.
That was noticeable by Lewis’ reaction when Robert announced he’d be leaving the grid after just a single season following his comeback.
As for his mentality heading into the final two races, Hamilton isn’t going to be backing off now the title is won.
“Your mind’s always just on what’s next, focusing on how you still have two races to win. It’s not really until the end of the year that you start to kind of sit back and let it sink in,” he explained.
“But it is quite hard to grasp just how incredible the whole journey has been to this point and that we’re still building. When people talk about history, it just doesn’t fully resonate at the moment. I’m sure at some stage it will.”