Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton vows to end 42-race drought

11/02/2023 F1

Lewis Hamilton vows to end 42-race drought as the Mercedes ace aims to take the fight to Red Bull in Brazil after gutsy displays in Austin and Mexico

  • Lewis Hamilton has not tasted victory since his Abu Dhabi triumph in 2021
  • Mercedes have won once in that time, through George Russell in Brazil last year
  • Hamilton is 20 points short of second-placed Sergio Perez with three races left

Lewis Hamilton will not stand for a second winless season, with this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix his best chance of making good on the pledge.

It is 42 races without success for the seven-time world champion, dating back to Abu Dhabi 2021. 

Since then Mercedes have won just once, through George Russell at this Interlagos track last year.

Hamilton is in fine form, producing gutsy displays in Austin and Mexico City, though he may need Red Bull’s machine-like Max Verstappen to falter if he is going to scale the top step.

‘I came away empty-handed last year so I don’t plan on that this year,’ said Hamilton, who is 20 points short of second-placed Sergio Perez going into qualifying.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has not tasted victory since Abu Dhabi in 2021

‘I anticipate Red Bill will blitz it because their car is great, but I will be ready to take the fight to them. 

‘I have been getting messages saying it is looking good. I say, “Well, it was looking good at the end of last year, too, but we started the season 1.5 seconds behind”. I am not dazzled by where we are.’

Verstappen admitted it was uncertain who would partner him next year, the struggling Perez or Daniel Ricciardo. 

‘I don’t mind,’ he said. ‘They are both good team-mates.’

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