Lewis Hamilton welcomes the prospect of a Components One title battle with Max Verstappen following the Dutchman’s dramatic victory in Sunday’s torrid 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone. Defending champion and present chief Hamilton, who has a 30-point benefit on the high of the drivers’ standings, praised Verstappen and his Crimson Bull staff for inflicting a primary defeat on Mercedes in 5 races this 12 months.
“It is nice that Max gained,” stated Hamilton, Talking within the aftermath of his record-equalling 155th podium end, in second place.
“As I’ve stated earlier than I wish to have races and a problem. Clearly, the Crimson Bull appears to be fairly near us in race situations, however that is factor and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see their development via the remainder of the 12 months.
“I undoubtedly won’t overlook them. We are going to hold an in depth eye on them. It isn’t going to be straightforward by any means.”
Hamilton, who shares the podiums document with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, is in pursuit of his personal seventh drivers’ title this 12 months and likewise has the German’s unrivalled haul of 91 GP wins in his sights.
‘Troublesome day’ for Mercedes
Nevertheless in sweltering situations on Sunday, Crimson Bull had not solely a superior technique — by selecting to start out Verstappen on hard-compound tyres — but additionally a superior degree of administration of tyre put on, which seems to have grow to be a weak spot of Mercedes’ in any other case flawless automotive this 12 months.
Hamilton had solely gained the British GP on the similar observe per week earlier after surviving a last-lap puncture as Verstappen closed in.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff conceded his staff had didn’t ship after beginning with Valtteri Bottas on pole and Hamilton second of their 67th entrance row lockout.
Verstappen began fourth and gained by 11 seconds, a luxurious that afforded him a number of light-hearted quips on his solution to victory and a poor signal for Mercedes heading into the weekend’s Spanish GP in Barcelona.
“It was a troublesome day within the workplace,” admitted Wolff. “Now we have a handful of days to seek out out what precisely brought about our points right this moment, give you options, take a look at them in Barcelona after which hopefully have a greater race on Sunday.
“Will probably be difficult, however we have had today up to now and got here out stronger and I’m actually wanting ahead to Barcelona. The times the place we lose are the times the place we be taught essentially the most.”
The considerably haunted seems on the Mercedes pit wall as their Pirelli tyres blistered over and once more advised its personal story and Crimson Bull staff chief Christian Horner, steered their automotive, with its phenomenal ranges of downforce, was virtually too robust and too quick for the softer tyres launched.
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“Mercedes are working extra downforce on their automotive, much more wing than we’re carrying and so they blistered their tyres 5 laps after the primary pit cease — and Max was taking it straightforward at that time,” Horner stated.
Till Sunday, Hamilton and Mercedes seemed to be on track for a serene run in the direction of extra championship triumphs, however Verstappen’s ninth profession win, per week earlier than he returns to the scene of his first, has signalled that nothing might be taken with no consideration.
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