“Does It Excite You to Finish 8th, 12th or 13th?”: Sebastian Vettel Empathizes With Lewis Hamilton Over Distressing 2022 F1 Slump

The 2022 season of Lewis Hamilton hasn’t gone the way he hoped, and Sebastian Vettel understands that. After struggling to adapt to the W13, being stuck in the mid-field has not helped his campaign. At a time when he aims to fight for an eighth world title, it seems like Lewis is a long way off. 

Naturally, questions about retirement are sure to arise at this time and how long Hamilton aims to continue in Formula 1.

Sebastian Vettel discusses Lewis Hamilton’s torrid season

Lewis Hamilton is currently 75 points behind current championship leader Max Verstappen. At a time when Mercedes’s W13 is not as competitive as the Red Bull RB18 or Ferrari F1-75, the situation doesn’t look too positive. This downturn in performance has raised some questions from Lewis’s former rival, Sebastian Vettel. 

Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel delved into the topic of Lewis Hamilton’s career. Given Hamilton went from competing for wins to being stuck in the mid-field. Vettel ponders whether Formula 1 still excites the Briton.  

“When you get to know the sport in the way I have done, and Lewis has done, winning and being at the top is what you strive for,”  Vettel said. “Does it excite you to finish eighth, or 12th or 13th? No, it doesn’t, when you know you have been first so many times – and in Lewis’ case more than any other guy.”   

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“George (Russell) comes in. He spent three years at Williams suffering to death at the rear of the field, scoring the odd point, and then suddenly he is eighth or 12th, and life for him is amazing.” 

Sebastian concluded by answering- whether Lewis would be happy about finishing eighth as George was. Vettel thinks that wouldn’t be the case. 

Lewis Hamilton talks about retirement and what could change in Silverstone 

Lewis himself addressed the retirement rumors when he talked about the chances of winning the title and explained why he wanted to continue.“Why should I stop?” asked the seven-time world champion. 

He explained that he probably won’t win the championship but feels the pleasure of completing the season as he started it. Hamilton expanded that one day he won’t be able to take the pressure, but as it stands, that day hasn’t come yet. 

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“I hope by the time we get to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone we will have the car as we want it – to be able to fight with Ferrari and Red Bull,” Lewis added. 

Will Mercedes have a complete package by Silverstone, and can Lewis fight for the win? Let us know in the comment section.