Lewis Hamilton says Components 1 is in for “one hell of a second half of the season” contemplating what number of groups are able to preventing for victories.
Seven drivers from 4 totally different groups have gained races within the opening 14 rounds this yr, with Sergio Perez at present the one driver from Purple Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes but to file win. Hamilton has gained two of the previous three races – and Mercedes three of the previous 4 – and mentioned that having so many various groups and drivers within the combat has set issues up fantastically for after the summer season break.
“It’s nice,” Hamilton mentioned. “It’s actually unbelievable, I feel, for the game to be having such shut groups and drivers. And the pedigree of drivers on the prime at this time are actually elite and wonderful.
“We didn’t anticipate to be competing with the McLarens or the Purple Bulls at this level within the season, with how we began off. So for us to now have closed up and be [in the mix], it’s going to be one hell of a second half of the season, for certain.”
Based on Hamilton, Mercedes’ step ahead is partially because of beneficial properties which have allowed each himself and teammate George Russell to have extra confidence all through all varieties of corners.
“Simply total, the automobile is… We’re extra comfy within the automobile,” he mentioned. “The steadiness by way of low to medium to excessive are all far more in step with what we had focused.”
Though Russell had his victory in Belgium taken away because of his automobile being underweight throughout post-race checks, he agreed with Hamilton that the remainder of 2024 must be thrilling, and mentioned that he expects it to set a number of groups up for title runs subsequent season.
“I feel for all of us, it’s been a tough couple of years getting the automobile into a spot the place we will persistently combat for victories,” Russell mentioned. “However I’m so motivated, so excited for the second half of the season, which is finally build up in the direction of 2025. And if you have a look at the competitors now, there’s no purpose why we will’t combat.
“If the season began in Montreal, the championship standings could be wanting very, very totally different. So, it’s going to be nice. I feel there’s a lot motivation from all the opposite groups to get again to the entrance, from McLaren, from Ferrari, from ourselves. So for certain, it’s not going to be simple, and hopefully we see an excellent combat on our arms into subsequent yr.”
