via Getty
IMOLA, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff walk in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on October 30, 2020 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
via Getty
IMOLA, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff walk in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on October 30, 2020 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
The 2022 season inaugurated a new era in Formula 1’s history with a massive change in the rules and regulations. These alterations have not been kind to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, for whom race wins were second nature. The Ferrari and the Red Bull are the new championship protagonist and the F1 world debates about who will win this season.
This year, replacing Hamilton as the main rival for Max Verstappen is the Ferrari protégé, Charles Leclerc. The Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff placed his bet on the Ferrari ace by saying “Charles is an exceptional driver, a great personality, he deserves to win. I don’t know if it does him any good, but if I had to choose it would be him.” (translated using Google)
"He NEVER stops pushing" 💪
Toto Wolff comments on Lewis Hamilton's positive attitude this year despite the struggles Mercedes have had. pic.twitter.com/VYHsimF4On
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 24, 2022
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The Austrian boss added by reflecting team’s performance, “For Paul Ricard, I would have said yes, now we wonder why we are one second behind Max Verstappen and six tenths behind Ferrari. We have a long way to go to be able to dream of victories.”
“We screwed up mechanically, we screwed up aerodynamically, it’s never one thing,” he concluded.
Lewis Hamilton picks his favorite for the 2022 title
After 12 rounds in the 2022 championship, the Brit stands P6 in the championship, with 127 points to his name. He faces a massive gap of 106 points to the championship leader, Max Verstappen. The defending world champion is in a class of his own this season and his former rival accepted the same.
#FrenchGP 🇫🇷: Lewis Hamilton: “It’s been great to see the pace of the Ferrari this year. I’m gutted for Charles, who’s being doing a great job, as has Carlos. It’s not easy though, having that pace and that performance and maintaining it.”
— deni (@fiagirly) July 25, 2022
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Contradicting his team boss, he picked the Red Bull ace as his favorite. He added, “It is a massive gap to Max so that is pretty smooth sailing for him in that space. But a lot can go wrong. I would just advise Ferrari to keep their heads down and continue to push.”
The Dutch driver keeps on extending his lead up front, while the Monegasque has lost out crucial points because of mistakes in the Italian camp. Hamilton reflected on the result by saying “I’m gutted for Charles, who’s being doing a great job, as has Carlos. It’s not easy though, having that pace and that performance and maintaining it. I feel for the whole team because I know what that can feel like.”
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Watch This Story: When F1 Drivers Had a Blast on Top Gear Featuring Hamilton, Vettel & Ricciardo
For the whole F1 paddock, not seeing the 37-year-old and the Brackley outfit at the top of the grid is an unusual circumstance. Moreover, the future generation coming through is a great spectacle for the future of the sport. Who do you think will win the title, the raging bulls or the prancing horse?
