Lewis Hamilton now doing the chasing
Before the Italian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was leading the Formula one drivers’ championship, but after back-to-back retirements in Italy and Singapore, the McLaren driver is now trailing leader Mark Webber by 20 points.
Three non-finishes in the last four races is not ideal heading into the final furlong of the world championship. Hamilton made an error in Italy, where he hit the Ferrari of Felipe Massa, but was not at fault for the collision with Webber’s Red Bull in Singapore last weekend.
“On Sunday night, I was obviously exceptionally disappointed,” he said. “It's always difficult to get your head around things when you've just retired from a grand prix - and it takes time to come to terms with that.”
There are some suggestions that Hamilton’s aggressive driving style played its part in the two incidents, but Hamilton insists he will never change. “No [I won’t change]. I'm a racer. I always race my heart out, and nothing will ever change that,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton knows how to lose a championship after being top of the drivers’ standings. Back in his debut season in 2007, he was the leading driver for the majority of the season but was pipped at the post by Kimi Räikkönen. There are some feelings he could be heading in the same direction this season. The 25-year-old however is refusing to think about that. “Absolutely not,” he said when asked about whether he thought this wouldn’t be his year.
“I spoke with the team on Sunday night, and we looked at things in their proper perspective. I'm still third overall in the points table, and I'm 20 points off the championship leader. That's still less than a race win. It's easy to get disheartened by being 20 points away, because it sounds such a lot, but under last year's rules, that's only about eight points - and to be eight points off with four races left is nothing really,” Hamilton added.
With three wins to his name this season, one more retirement in the remaining four races would signal the end of Hamilton’s championship hopes. He is looking forward rather than back at what has happened in the last two grands prix. “It is [disappointing]. But you just have to put it behind you,” he said. “I'm just looking ahead at the next four races. I haven't won at any of those tracks [Japan, Korea, Brazil and Abu Dhabi], so I'll be even more motivated than ever to make amends for that.”
Hamilton’s luck has been out in the last four races, and he will be hoping it turns in the next four races.
Tags: