“He wants to win that eighth championship,” Ross Brawn places his bets on Lewis Hamilton despite woeful start to the season

There was an extended period of time before the start of the new season where people believed that the future of Seven-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton was in limbo. It was thought that Hamilton was considering retirement, which was later confirmed by the British driver.

This was over ‘disillusionment’ with the sport, as a consequence of the controversial last few laps of the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen dramatically overtook Hamilton during the final lap in Abu Dhabi following a safety car period due to Nicholas Latifi’s crash. The big controversy was that all lapped cars had not been allowed to pass, but only the ones in between Hamilton and Verstappen. Masi justified this by saying ‘It’s a motor race.’ to Toto Wolff on the radio.

Toto Wolff’s outburst on the radio prompted a restriction on team principals being able to contact the race director, among other reasons. As a result of this, it was not until February that Hamilton confirmed that he would be returning to the Formula 1 grid this season.

However, Lewis Hamilton’s season has been difficult for the most part. Mercedes struggled with porpoising from the start of the season, which has only now been remedied. And when Hamilton came back, they were no longer the best – or even second-best car on the grid. Moreover, George Russell outshined Hamilton for most of this season.

Russell has not finished outside the top 5 in any race this season. And he is currently 28 points ahead of Hamilton. Despite that, Hamilton has not had much fortune this season, and F1 Managing Director Ross Brawn feels that Hamilton is more actively trying to help the team in developing the car than Russell.

“These first few races he’s been looking for the solutions and in doing so, he’s been ping-ponging around with different set-ups on the car, trying to reach the solutions.”

“He’s probably sacrificing the races in a way to try to get the information and data the team can use to solve the problem.”

“That’s the feedback I get from the team, while George is following a more conventional path…and Lewis is trying to set out to solve the problem.”

Brawn thinks that people are being deceived by what’s on the surface (that George Russell is currently ahead in the championship) and implied that Lewis Hamilton has more to give this season, and surely, it’s only been 6 races.

“That’s why I think people saying George has out-qualified and outraced him in the last few races can’t see the bigger picture.”

Also Read: “He didn’t touch it,” Fan footage dismisses speculation of Lewis Hamilton handling the rear wing of Sergio Perez’s RB-18

Hamilton still a ‘very determined racing driver’

Ross Brawn believes that Lewis Hamilton still has the capability and drive to finally win his eighth world championship – surpassing Michael Schumacher in the process.

Talking to the Evening Standard, Ross Brawn said:

“Amid all the glitz and glamour, you still have a very determined racing driver.”

Brawn was likely pointing to Hamilton’s refusal to comply with the FIA’s no-jewelry policy, where he said that jewelry is a personal choice, and that “You should be able to be who you are.”

While Ross Brawn believes that the championship is likely too far gone from Hamilton’s grasp this season (he is currently 64 points behind Max Verstappen on top and 6th in the driver standings) “He’s still supremely fit and capable. I’m pretty certain he wants to win that eighth championship and if not this year, as looks likely, then next year.”

Brawn expressed his belief in Mercedes to sort out their woes and return to the top:

“I don’t know enough about what Mercedes’ issues are to know if they can be fixed with the concept of car they have or whether they have to review the concept. They will sort it out, I’m sure…but it’s obviously very fragile what they are dealing with.”

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will hope to capitalize on their strong weekend in Spain, where Lewis Hamilton came back from a collision with Kevin Magnussen which sent him down to P19 to finish P5, at the next event in Monaco, and cut down their gap from 2nd placed Ferrari (which is currently 49 points).

Also Read: “It was not only his morale but also our morale,” Toto Wolff expresses admiration for Lewis Hamilton’s fightback in Spain

Also Read: Tempo at Mercedes has shifted: “World title is still possible”