If the world of F1 has been shaken like never in its history by the pandemic, one factor, however, remains unchanging: the identity of the big favorite for the title. Namely the essential Lewis Hamilton, already at the forefront Friday in Austria. Even his teammate at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas, seems to have already made a vow of allegiance: “He is a very, very great driver. It will undoubtedly be better than ever this year. I have high expectations for him to be world champion again this season. ”
"I'm going to be a machine"
Lewis HamiltonThe principal himself had also announced the color last winter, during the tests in Barcelona: "I'm going to be a machine, I want to drive on yet another level. I, who hardly like tests, asked for the first time to return to the track when the day was over. I didn't want it to stop. ”
Fighting away from the circuits
At 35, the Briton is therefore not satisfied. Even if, in recent months, he has been much more involved in non-F1 fights, such as animal defense, global warming or, even more, the "Black Lives Matter" movement. So much so that he launched a diversity commission aimed at attracting more blacks to the professions of motor sport, notably by studying science, technology and mathematics. So many subjects that could divert him from his sporting goals but who, in fact, only give him additional strength, he whose mind has always needed to wander far from the circuits to better flourish.
In Schumacher's retro
Especially since this season, Hamilton will aim for nothing more or less than the record for seven world titles held by Michael Schumacher. A perspective that has always made him dream, even if he does not make a hunt for records a personal creed. This also applies to the number of career wins. With 91, Schumacher seemed untouchable for a long time. Except that the Briton now has 84. By keeping his average of ten per season for the last six years, he could therefore erase this record from 2020. Provided, of course, that the Covid-19 offers him enough freedom, and races , to achieve this, which is not yet a guarantee since the calendar is still very vague.
"Lewis is very good, he is one of the best, but it is not God"
Max VerstappenObviously, the marriage he formed with Mercedes should, in any case, again constitute the winning pair this season. Even if some were pleased to debunk the myth. Like the inevitable Max Verstappen, hardly used to kneeling in front of anyone. "Lewis is very good, he is one of the best, but he is not God. God may be with him, but it is not him. ” A direct reference to the religious convictions of a Hamilton who preferred to take with smile the declarations of the tempestuous Dutchman: “It's fun. But as far as I'm concerned, I always preferred to respond on the track. I tend to interpret this kind of reaction as a sign of weakness. ” Beginning of response this weekend in Austria. After having long worked his brakes, Hamilton will be keen to immediately mark his territory in such a special season.
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