It’s over – Lewis Hamilton has finally given up hope. Draw a line under the current Formula 1 season. If there was at least a faint hope of a race win recently, now they have finally disappeared.
The United States Grand Prix made him painfully aware of how far behind the Mercedes he is still panting. Despite all the updates, you don’t stand a chance. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion is more depressed than ever.
Formula 1: Hamilton has no chance
Suddenly he was there again. That feeling that could have made the 2021 season one of the best ever. Lewis Hamilton drove the Mercedes in the lead. Behind, Max Verstappen was chasing his great rival. But unlike last year, Austin was just a snapshot.
Nobody in Austin doubted Verstappen would win in the end. Not even a completely failed pit stop stopped him. Eventually, Hamilton had to give up on the Mercedes without a fight, and then he blew up unhappiness.
Winning for the first time?
The Brit felt closer to winning than ever this year. It would have been his 104th GP victory. However, the fact that he was unable to defend himself ultimately led him to bitter realization: for the first time in a 16-year career he will experience a winless season.
Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1:
- debuted in 2007 and missed his first World Cup win by just one point
- he has won at least one race in each of his seasons so far
- with seven world titles, he is world record champion along with Michael Schumacher
“We have to be really realistic,” explained the Brit after the race. It was scary that Verstappen was able to grab him so easily despite an 11 second stop and a duel against Charles Leclerc. “So unless something drastic happens, it’s very unlikely we’ll have the right pace to keep up with them,” he admits resignedly.
Formula 1: End of season
With three races left in this year’s record season: Mexico, Brazil and then the bitter return to Abu Dhabi, Hamilton’s hopes of triumph have run out. However, he also draws something positive from the race.
Also interesting:
The fact that you can at least return to the podium gives the 37-year-old hope for the new season. “If we can get the car to that level, I think we could have a really exciting year next year,” Hamilton clarified, ahead of a possible eighth world title.
