Hamilton has best ever start of F1 season
May 14 - "No one understands" why the closest title battle for years is coinciding with Lewis Hamilton's best ever start to a Formula 1 season.
That is the view of Alexey Popov, the Russian F1 commentator for Match TV.
Recently, former Mercedes chief Paddy Lowe said that in 2014 - when the German team began to utterly dominate the entire 'power unit' era - Mercedes would carefully manage the pace of the car so as to avoid rule changes and negative opinions.
That dominance has now continued until 2021, where six drivers' titles later 36-year-old Hamilton is now head-to-head with Red Bull's Max Verstappen in 2021.
"The statisticians have checked, and the most amazing thing is that in his entire career, Lewis Hamilton has never had such a good start to a season. Do you understand that?" Popov said.
"With seven titles, there were cars that dominated the season. But never in his entire career has Lewis had three wins and one second in the first four races.
"How this has happened, no one understands," said the Russian.
"Even when he gets stuck with a broken wing in the gravel, he still managed it - well, not first, but second. In every other race, he wins."
When asked about the statistic, seven time world champion Hamilton said it is because he and Mercedes are having to bring their "A-game" to every race in order to beat Verstappen.
"Every year I am trying to improve. If often seems impossible, but it's a necessity," said the Briton.
"The Red Bulls have started off incredibly strong. Max has a championship winning car and opportunity, as do we.
"It's going to take everything from us, not only me bringing my A-game but the team bringing their A-game, weekend-in, weekend-out. Otherwise those guys will be winning," Hamilton added.
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The fact that HAM's opening performance is in the face of his stiffest competition ever is not a moot point. Whether or not you're a HAMfan, admit that he just flat knows how to win. End of season = 8 WDCs and 103 race wins, and then retire to pursue other interests.
No matter what opinions are aired about L/H history will show Just how good he really was/is.The racing brain he possesses is awesome.
Well said. His aptitude is off the chain indeed.
You forgot to mention the MB car and the countless millions invested in Hamilton
Don't forget George Russell's performance in the Merc
Verstappen would have nailed many titles in the same equipment Don't forget the no Verstappen in Hamilton's contract. I doubt Hamilton would have won so many titles in an also ran car 🚗
I agree in previous seasons, he knew he had a superior car, so he didn't need to fight early in the season. This year he knows Red Bull have a good car and a great driver, so he knows that it could go to the wire; he is ensuring that he gets ahead, and stays ahead, unlike the season that his team mate beat him - and should never have - some strange technical issues if you remember. I don't think he had quite gelled with his team to the degree he know has. He is an awesome driver - not such a great personality but to win you don't have to make friends.
in 2016 they took each other off in barcelona , and only other retirement all yr was LH in Mal, apart from that they pretty much matched each other all yr, so NS wasnt lucky, wasnt making hammy crash, infact it was LH that made them both crash in spain so NS i recken he deserved the title, as they say , the stats dont lie NR 9 wins and LH 10 , opinions please...... lol
Nico won. Faie and square.
Shropy your ignorance is unbelievable some times. Hamiltons car broke down whilst ahead of NR, gave him the WC end of. You are blinkered lol...
Sorry who won the wdc in 2016? , thats right NR, the stats of the whole year are there , it was very very close in terms of results , and NR won, car breakdown or no car breakdown, im not doing a Jax , im just stating who won and why i think he deserved it, nothing to do with being a fan of either driver, get off your " why dont you like LH soapbox "
I think that you turned 'Jax' into a verb, as in, "Don''t Jax me." Good job.
For the newbies and the ignorants, here's why Nico is the least respected of the 3 one hitters in the 21st century so far.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/38126132.amp
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/24/leiws-hamilton-mercedes-mechanics-nico-rosberg-abu-dhabi-grand-prix
"For the newbies and the ignorants....."
So, you're talking to your bro's? LOL Sorry, Jax, couldn't resist.
Do not click on the links, they are a link to a virus designed on the Planet Jax beware of false jaxsites if you click on the links you will become another jax clone, they must be defeated at all cost, you have been warned
And the reason I say the above is , and please, dont take this the wrong way...... is weve done the research, counted the votes, reviewed the evidence and overwhelmingly concluded you are definitely from another planet of unknown origin.oh sarcasm , if only you could sell it.
Is it just me or does it seem like the ones who are apparently a Fly and an Old Racer have some sort of "relationship"??? Lol. Just wondering.
And why should people fear clinking the links oh Fly one? Seeking company for your ignorance? Lol smh.
Oh , its definitely just you Lol smh
Can anyone tell me why Sir Lewis kept to the L/H side of the track after the start, instead of moving to the centre, or just right of centre? Before the start if they had told Bottas to support Lewis' left rear, there would have been nowhere for Verstappen to feel comfortable about; he may have had to accept for second at the first turn.
Mercedes is still the faster car, and they probably can screw it up a lot more, Lewis is a good driver and has had very little opposition till now, give Max time
Henri, this is VER's 6th season. How much time does he need?
took JB 9 seasons
And if Merc adopts the 'bendy wing' they will go faster... per Ham. Just like RB had the option to add DAS for 1/2 a season.
As I have said before it is a peculiar British trait that will build a person up and then knock them down. Steve 'boring' Davies with snooker and Bjorn Borg on with tennis. LH with motor racing is making this country the envy of the world. Why can't you just accept that you are watching a genius at his finest and as a bonus you get to see some amazing race-craft from most of the rest of the field. How lucky we are to be able to continue to enjoy these fantastic races when many other sports have had to close down during covid. Enjoy the racing and comment without making it sound as if you have a grudge against this amazing guy.
Oh Dear As i have said many times LH is a great driver..........., but i dont have to like his personality or attitude, we all have different opinions,thanks for your advice , patronizing as it is , I wont be taking it and will continue voice my opinions as we are all free to do.
Ditto.
Great racer, but should just STFU and drive.
Bjorn Borg British?
I know I didnt follow the relevance either, but each to there own, i suspect its Jax doing an undercover job posing with a 2nd name, it was so weird
Shropfly, do you lose sleep over LH
You forgot to mention the MB car and the countless millions invested in Hamilton
Don't forget George Russell's performance in the Merc
Verstappen would have nailed many titles in the same equipment Don't forget the no Verstappen in Hamilton's contract. I doubt Hamilton would have won so many titles in an also ran car 🚗
You have no idea how many title Verstappen would have won in a MB, similarly you have never seen the Hamilton MB contract
Details of the contract were reported in the F1 media
Try reading the reports before you comment
MV has all the hallmarks of a winner despite being in a lesser car
So it in media must be true
And freddie star ate a Hamster
bit weird the BBC are reporting this
Hamilton has taken three wins and a second place so far in 2020, equalling his best ever start to a season in terms of results, and he said he believed he had "raised the bar" in the face of the challenge from Red Bull this season.
But this article says this yr is best start
"The statisticians have checked, and the most amazing thing is that in his entire career, Lewis Hamilton has never had such a good start to a season. Do you understand that?" Popov said.
"With seven titles, there were cars that dominated the season. But never in his entire career has Lewis had three wins and one second in the first four races.
Wed better ask Jax who has it right ?
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