This time last year, Briton Lewis Hamilton (pictured) came into his home grand prix at Silverstone on a tremendous high. He'd recorded a top-three place in every race of his first season and was leading the championship, 14 points ahead of his nearest rival. He took pole position at Silverstone in his McLaren-Mercedes and, having initially led the race, he finished third.
This year Lewis Hamilton comes into his home grand prix on a tremendous low. It's been an uneven season for him, made worse by his recent performance in the French Grand Prix where he drove one of the most immature races of his F1 career. Failing to secure any points at Magny-Cours, he has now dropped to fourth in the championship, ten points adrift of new championship leader Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and behind Poland's Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) and Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari).
So, as we approach the British Grand Prix - the halfway stage in the championship - the scene is set for either a Hamilton comeback, or confirmation that he's not fully developed his skills. Silverstone, a former airfield in Northamptonshire, is one of the drivers' favourite circuits. Very fast, with an intriguing blend of rapid straights and deceptively tricky corners such as Becketts and Copse, it's a tough test. Overtaking can be difficult here: Silverstone has always favoured the brave and skilful.
Can Hamilton get back on track? It's not going to be easy for him, he's going to have to dig very deep inside, but it's not impossible. We may even see another piece of F1 history. You never know...
Lewis Hamilton's nail-biting fifth-place finish at yesterday's Brazilian Grand Prix - winning the 2008 drivers' World Championship by just one point - was one of the most extraordinary Formula One performances ever. It was also extraordinary, unforgettable TV - a rollercoaster ride of emotions from the soggy slippery start to the extraordinary last lap. It really did look like Felipe Massa had won the championship until those last two corners when Hamilton came past Timo Glock.
Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton. It will be fascinating to see how the 2009 season unfolds. Bring it on!
September 26th - 9:39amPaul Strange said...
My September 8 comments relate to the Belgian Grand Prix the day before. Hamilton won the race, but was judged to have gained an unfair advantage by cutting a chicane, despite giving the place back to Raikkonen. The decision was upheld on a technicality on 22 September. Since then, of course, we have had Vettel's shock win in Monza, and the championship is finally poised with four races to go. Currently Hamilton leads with 78 points, one point ahead of Felipe Massa. Robert Kubica is third with 64 points, while Kimi Raikkonen is in fourth with 57 points. See above for my preview of the night race in Singapore.
September 8th - 8:52amPaul Strange said...
What an extraordinary race! The last three laps were some of the most thrilling F1 action that we've seen in years. And, naturally, the stewards are involved again, after the Hamilton/Raikkonen incident, demoting Hamilton, and giving the race to Massa. When are the stewards going to realise that this is motor racing, not ballroom dancing? Clearly this was a racing incident. Hamilton quickly realised that he'd taken the lead unfairly by cutting the chicane. He clearly yielded the place as he and Raikkonen crossed the start/finish line, and then the batte began again, all square. Let's hope that common sense prevails, but frankly it's unlikely... Whatever the result of the stewards' enquiry, Hamilton currently still leads the championship. Bring on Monza!
Add a comment