The 2022 F1 championship built a huge hype prior to its get-go. The season introduced new rules and regulations which promised fans a step up in the quality of racing. After reaching the halfway point, F1 audiences can confidently say that the new regulations work.

The Monegasque won two out of the first three races in the season. Since then, he suffered a dry spell and waited for 8 races before taking the top step of the podium once again. Either the reliability of his F1-75 or a driver error held him back all this while. At the same time, Verstappen continued chipping away in the driver’s standings with exceptional drives.

In 2021, instead of Leclerc, it was Hamilton who was in a season-long battle with the Dutch driver. The two rivals grabbed maximum points week in and week out. However, Leclerc lacks the discipline of the seven-time champion. In the F1 nation podcast, former Ferrari ace, Gerhard Berger presented his views on this.

Tom Clarkson asked, “Do you think Leclerc is ready to win the world championship?”

Berger replied, “He did one or two mistakes this year. What shouldn’t be, shouldn’t have been when you are really serious for the championship. In Imola, the chicane. Yeah, you know, just finish third, take the points.”

“This is where Lewis impressed me so much. Lewis is just always there. Whenever the door then is open, he is at the podium and take the points, as much he can. Where Leclerc is not, in this area Leclerc, need a little bit of experience. But in general, is absolute a guy that can win championships.”

Back in 2019, Toto Wolff said, “In Leclerc, I think we are seeing a young champion in the making who was the emotional winner.” The paddock awaits to see if the Mercedes boss was right.

Lewis Hamilton: The Consistency Guru

Formula 1 is an exclusive club that comprises the top 20 drivers of the world. The aim to become a world champion is what each driver chases. Unfortunately, most of them end their career without even winning a race. Amidst all this, winning seven world titles is just extraordinary.

Many downplay Lewis Hamilton’s achievements because of his association with the 8-time constructor’s champions. However, they forget to acknowledge that the real weapon in his arsenal is his consistency. His determination and perseverance to always be a better version of himself pushes him to reach the peak of success.

The Brit debuted in 2007 with McLaren and was on the podium in his first F1 race. He set a streak of 9 consecutive podium finishes and was very unfortunate to miss out on the world title by just 1 point to Kimi Raikkonen.

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Even the defending world champion admits the strength of his fierce rival. In 2020, Verstappen said, “Everybody knows he’s very quick but I think what has been also a very strong point is that he is very consistent and very rarely makes a mistake. And that’s why I think also he got to this number so quick. It’s just very impressive.”

Presently, the Briton walks into the French GP on the back of three consecutive podium finishes. Consistent results point toward the Mercedes driver finding his feet back in the championship. Do you think Hamilton can mount a title challenge over the remaining races?

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