Lewis Hamilton relishing F1 title run-in

Author Photo
Lewis Hamilton

The Mercedes man has won five races in the 2014 campaign, more than any other driver, but retirements in Australia and Canada as well as qualifying problems in his past two races mean that he trails team-mate Nico Rosberg by 11 points in the drivers' standings.

Mechanical troubles at the German and Hungarian grands Prix saw Hamilton start 20th and 22nd on the grid, but the Briton showed his battling qualities to clinch third spot on both occasions.

And with Formula One returning from a near month-long break this weekend, the 29-year-old is determined to fight for the title in the final eight races of the season, starting at Spa - a circuit where he was a winner in 2010.

"Personally, I can't wait to get back in the car and back into the battle for the championship," Hamilton told F1's official website.

"There were so many positives to take from the opening 11 races.

"The aim is to put the more difficult times of some of the previous weekends behind us and to recreate the best moments at every race from now on. I love driving at Spa, so there are few better places to start."

Rosberg has been rewarded for a series of consistent performances - only once has he failed to complete a race this term, and of those he has finished he has placed outside the top two just once.

The German's battle with Hamilton has threatened to boil over at times, a situation not helped by Hamilton's refusal to follow team orders and allow Rosberg to take third in Hungary last time out.

But Rosberg insists that the rivalry is one he is relishing.

"In Formula One you just can't afford to give away any advantage," Rosberg commented. "I know that both the team and myself will be working harder than ever to keep improving.

"On top of that, the battle with Lewis has been so close all season - and it could well stay that way right up to the final race - so every last point will be crucial."

While Mercedes have dominated this season, Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo has closed the gap at the top in recent races.

The Australian remains the only man aside from Hamilton and Rosberg to win a race this season - including at Hungary - and he looks like the only man able to prevent a Mercedes championship one-two.

This weekend will also see Andre Lotterer make his race debut, the German will drive for Caterham in place of Kamui Kobayashi in a one-race deal. 

Author(s)