Hamilton’s 18-Month Drought with Mercedes Ahead of Austria

Lewis Hamilton’s winless streak continues despite consistent podium finishes. Missed opportunities and self-induced setbacks have plagued his pursuit of victory. Red Bull and Max Verstappen remain dominant, leaving Hamilton’s record-breaking eighth title seeming out of reach. Nevertheless, Hamilton’s determination to break his losing streak remains a driving force as he looks towards the upcoming races.

New Delhi (India) : After an eventful and demanding Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in December 2021, where Lewis Hamilton emerged victorious, he stood proudly on the podium, pointing towards his team below. It was a significant win, bringing his total to 103, and he would go on to secure his record-breaking eighth championship a week later. However, Max Verstappen abruptly left the stage, signaling a shift in the dynamics of the sport.

Fast forward 18 months to the present day, and Hamilton’s performance has been consistently strong but devoid of wins. While he has stood on the podium 12 times since his last victory, they have all been second or third-place finishes. It’s a remarkable statistic considering his past success. The closest he came to victory was in the infamous Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of 2021, where the championship slipped away in a heart-wrenching near-miss.

Even in the face of Red Bull’s dominance, Hamilton’s racing abilities have remained exceptional. Last year, he had a remarkable streak of five consecutive podium finishes, with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone being his best opportunity to claim victory. Unfortunately, a mid-race safety car disrupted his strategy, and Carlos Sainz emerged as the unexpected winner.

However, it was the race in Austin, Texas, in October that proved even more difficult to accept. With Verstappen already securing his second title, Hamilton found himself leading with just five laps to go. Yet, despite his best efforts, he was powerless to prevent Verstappen’s Red Bull from surging past him, leaving Hamilton with yet another missed opportunity for a win. Hamilton’s 18-Month Drought with Mercedes Ahead of Austria

Hamilton’s 18-Month Drought with Mercedes Ahead of Austria

Undoubtedly, the most agonizing aspect for Lewis Hamilton, now 38 years old, is the missed opportunities that have largely been self-inflicted. Despite the volatility of the Mercedes car, Hamilton has often had to compensate for a weak qualifying performance with strategic moves on race day. However, it was George Russell who seized the chance in Brazil last November, securing his debut Grand Prix win while Hamilton settled for second place. Russell also claimed Mercedes’ only pole position in Hungary, and Hamilton has not qualified in first position since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021.

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Despite the frustration and an 18-month winless streak, Hamilton outwardly displays unwavering confidence in Mercedes. In fact, both parties are on the verge of signing a new contract. However, for Hamilton’s fiercely competitive nature, this drought will undoubtedly be agonizing. The upcoming races in Montreal and Silverstone provide additional glimmers of hope as the new and improved Mercedes car continues to evolve. Hamilton’s 18-Month Drought with Mercedes Ahead of Austria

To be frank, Max Verstappen and Red Bull continue to dominate the field, establishing themselves in a league of their own. Initially, George Russell was ridiculed when he suggested that Christian Horner’s team could win every race of the season after the first race in Bahrain. However, that claim doesn’t seem as far-fetched now.

As for Hamilton, his pursuit of an eighth title appears more distant than ever, and he has already started discussing the possibility of focusing on the 2024 season. However, his primary objective at the moment will be to break the longest winless streak of his career. This goal will undoubtedly be at the forefront of his mind as he heads to Canada and enters the traditional European season.