“I Have Max Behind”: Factoring Verstappen’s Threat, Lewis Hamilton Set Realistic Goal for Belgian GP

Lewis Hamilton is a four-time winner around the historic Spa Francorchamps. After a very competitive qualifying session, Hamilton must be fancying his chances given the record that he has around Spa. However, the 7X World Champion sets a realistic goal for the Main race around Belgium as he factors in Max Verstappen’s threat.

Lewis Hamilton qualified P4 for the Belgium GP but will be starting in the Top 3 as Max Verstappen has a 5-place grid penalty for a Gearbox change. After a tricky qualifying session that transitioned from a wet track to a dry track, Max Verstappen came out on top with an 8-tenth gap to P2. However, Limited running in practice 1 due to the rain combined with the Sprint Format means the teams and drivers will still be in the unknown regarding the long run pace.

Spa is a unique track in itself as it’s over 7kms long and tire behavior around a lap is very important. Nonetheless, Max Verstappen’s qualifying lap suggests he will be strong. Lewis Hamilton will be eyeing a podium as he starts P3. With Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez ahead, and mixed conditions predicted, the Briton will fancy his chances.

However, Hamilton realizes that Max Verstappen starts behind him and will be blistering quick if the qualifying pace transitions into the race. As a result, he keeps himself in check with a realistic goal for the race.  According to @fiagirly’s Tweet, Lewis Hamilton said “I guess I have Max behind, but it’ll be the goal to chase those guys down.”

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It’s hard to see Lewis Hamilton on the podium but anything could happen around Spa. It might be the case that rain hits some part of the track and not the other. Experience and feel for the car plays a vital role in such conditions. However, Lewis Hamilton is still uncertain about how the car will feel come race day.

Lewis Hamilton uncertain about W14’s pace on the long run

Lewis Hamilton during the post-race interview suggested that the cars did not have any dry running in the Practice session. Hence there’s a huge unknown going into the Sprint day as well as the race day. Hamilton suggested that the car loses a lot of time in Sector 2 as he’ll continue to work and see if any improvements can be made.

According to @Fiagirly’s Tweet, Lewis Hamilton said “I have no idea [how the car will feel tomorrow]. We’ll find out. It didn’t feel bad today, generally, the car was feeling pretty decent, it’s just middle sector we’re losing a second. So I’m gonna go and study to try and study to figure out where that is; and if there’s any way, with the package that I have, whether I can close that.”

Where do you think will Lewis Hamilton be finishing on Sunday?

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