Lewis Hamilton is aware that there is a chance that Mercedes dominance over the past few seasons might come to an end in the 2017 season, when technical regulations could drastically shuffle the pack.
This has alerted Hamilton to the prospect of this year’s championship being the last in which only two drivers are competing for the title. Whilst a closer battle between top teams is needed for the sport, the Brit admits that he can’t rest on the laurels of the Mercedes dominance to continue.
He said,
“That definitely is a very good possibility but that puts even more emphasis on makings sure that we utilize this. If it is the last year I want to make sure that I maximize on it so there’s no shortcuts and there’s no rest really during the year.
But you’ve got to enjoy it as well. It’s my 31st year in my life but it’s my ninth year, I guess it is? And I’m enjoying driving more than ever so it’s really important to enjoy it because it’s going quick. 10th season and, what, I’ve got six more maybe or whatever it is and then I’m gone – and that will go quick, because this 10 has really felt like it’s gone quick, so I’m going to make sure I enjoy it.
Next year is going to be interesting, I think we’ve got a great team and we’ll continue it but it’s a race of who started first and maybe someone started first and hasn’t done a good enough job but…hopefully we’ve started in similar times and I hope we are still in the battle, I’m sure we will be.”
– Lewis Hamilton
An ideal situation for 2017 would be for four of five teams to have the capability to compete for race wins. Even if that is the case, Hamilton will be in the fight surely? We want to see him challenged by other teams and the competition to be closer. That way, Lewis and drivers of his ilk will be pushed to the edge and won’t have the luxury of turning their engine mode down after two-laps.
Start the discussion
Login to comment