CHRIS GRAYTHENAFP
Despite finishing fourth in the Canadian GP, his best result so far this season, Sir Lewis admits to being disappointed with his driving: “Too many mistakes.”
It might have been his best result so far this season, but Lewis Hamilton can’t help but be self-critical. In view of the circumstances, Mercedes managed to resolved the weekend reasonably well at the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite starting from pole, George Russell came in behind Max Verstappen and Landon Norris, but at least he achieved the first podium of the year for the team.
Mercedes are fully aware that performance-wise, their level is way behind Verstappen’s Red Bull and McLaren. Sir Lewis was not far off either, in fact, he finished fourth behind his teammate, which would appear to be good news… but not for him.
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Lewis Hamilton shocked at Canadian GP performance
The Briton told DAZN was dissatisfied and disappointed with his performance on the circuit, which he described as one of the worst of his entire sporting career. “I haven’t driven well this weekend,” admits the seven-time world champion about a complicated race due to the changing asphalt conditions due to the rain. However, he insists that isn’t an excuse and highlighted his weak point over the weekend: “I did well in free practice, but not in qualifying and the race. It has been a shock for me, a very poor performance. I have to improve and get the next one right. The hard tire was horrible, a lot of understeer… It felt like one of my worst drives that I’ve had. Bits of good speed at some points, but ultimately a pretty poor weekend from myself” he explained.
Hamilton started seventh on the grid and, although he was able to gain a position early on, he had a hard time passing Alonso. In fact, he only managed it in the pitlane, due to a bad stop by Aston Martin. As he told Sky Sports he continued with his self-criticism: “I could have driven better, with fewer mistakes. I was stuck behind Fernando for a long, long time, as you would expect. After that, I lost a lot of ground, then lost another bunch of ground, went off. I made a lot of mistakes during the weekend in general, but I take a lot of positives in terms of performance, so I will try to improve for the next race.”
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Lewis Hamilton looking ahead to Barcelona
At least, Mercedes has taken a step forward with the much-needed car in view of the advances that its rivals have been presenting throughout this beginning of the year. Despite Hamilton’s claims of it being one of his worst races, he takes some positives from the weekend: “It is what it is. I will go back to the drawing board. On a more positive note, a big, big thank you to everyone at the factory for progressing this car. It is becoming a car we can fight with and that’s a real positive going into this next part of the season.
“We hopefully have some more upgrades on the way so it’s going to be a close battle. If I get my head on right I’ll get some better results at some stage.” Indeed, it was a very encouraging result for Mercedes – their best of the season so far, says Sir Lewis, already with his sights set on Barcelona.
Lewis Hamilton sits eighth in the FIA Formula 1 standings – one place and 14 points behind Russell in seventh, while Mercedes remain fourth in the constructors’ order, behind McLaren, Ferrari and leaders Red Bull.
