Lewis Hamilton downplayed Mercedes’ chances of winning this weekend following their stronger showing in Spain, but expects they will be in contention by the British Grand Prix.
Mercedes introduced a significant update to their car last weekend which helped Hamilton and team mate George Russell to a pair of top-five finishes.Red Bull and Ferrari have won all six races so far this year. Hamilton does not expect Mercedes will have the pace to challenge them in Monaco.
“Since we’ve just made some changes in the last race, I don’t think that’ll be as bad as it had been in the other races,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans. “But I won’t hold my breath.”
Ferrari seemed particularly strong through the slow chicane at the end of the lap at the Circuit de Catalunya, which is often seen as a good predictor of performance around the narrow Monaco track.
“We’ve not been that quick in the low-speed so far this year,” said Hamilton. “I anticipate they have a lot of downforce, they’re going to be quick this weekend. I’m just hoping we’re not as far back as we have been.”
Hamilton scored his only podium finish of the season so far at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. With his home race a little over a month away, he is optimistic wins will be a possibility for Mercedes at Silverstone.
“I’m hoping by then we are where we plan to be,” he said. “I know everyone back at the factory is working as hard as they can to continue to make advances with the car and I have no doubts that we will.
“I’m hoping by Silverstone we have the car when we need, at least by then, to be able to fight these guys for the win. That’s what I’m working every day for so that we can fight on our home turf and give them the best race we can.”
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2022 Monaco Grand Prix
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Schummel Schumi (@schummelschumi)
27th May 2022, 11:38
If he’s not quick enough in Silverstone he can still send the opposition into hospital. Worked out fine last time
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
27th May 2022, 12:40
Yes, Hamilton is usually good at silverstone, I wouldn’t have minded a hamilton win in 2021, but not that way, with verstappen out leclerc deserved it.
Crashtappen
27th May 2022, 14:14
Yield or crash
Todfod (@todfod)
27th May 2022, 14:57
Find it hilarious that a Schumacher fan would be salty about one driver taking out another
Barry Bens (@barryfromdownunder)
27th May 2022, 11:47
Can’t wait to be proven right when their car start bouncing again on tracks with proper straights. Like Silverstone.
I’ll be laffin’
Boomerang
27th May 2022, 20:52
Court madman loughs all the time. You could apply for the job.
koddamn (@gufdamm)
27th May 2022, 12:00
I hope you guys ignore the obvious trolls.
Noframingplease (@)
27th May 2022, 15:10
Where? Before spains GP I read here that some people hoped Max would have more enginetroubles that race. Nobody pointed that commenter on his behavior at that time. Or is it when it doesn’t suit your personal opinion those pointless comments suddenly annoy you?
RomTrain (@romtrain)
28th May 2022, 7:54
lets hope the paperchamp sticks to professionel racing.
hamiledon
27th May 2022, 14:26
This is not one of Hamilton’s favorite tracks, I will not surprised if Russel starts ahead of Hamilton.
Moi
27th May 2022, 14:30
Well he usually does doen’t he? And finishes ahead of him too.
RomTrain (@romtrain)
28th May 2022, 8:02
Not based on race performance. Twice due to safety cars, once due to KMag.
Todfod (@todfod)
27th May 2022, 14:58
Both are strong here. Lewis has had some of his most mega races here, even though it’s not his strongest circuit in quali.
iCarbs (@icarby)
27th May 2022, 19:18
If bouncing persists, Russell will prevail. Once Hamilton is comfortable we’ll see…