For the first time since hybrid V6 power units came to Formula 1 in 2014, Lewis Hamilton is not directly involved in the fight for the drivers’ title.
Mathematically, it still has a chance of winning, since only seven races of the planned 22 have been held, but until now, the performance of the Mercedes W13 has not been at the level of the great favorites, a sign that in 2022 Ferrari and Red Bull, with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen as spearheads.
The Dutch driver and the Monegasque have been immersed in the fight for the world championship since the first race of the course in Bahrain, while Hamilton has remained on the sidelines, watching the battle from a distance, something he is not used to at all.
Asked by El Corriere Della Sera , Lewis Hamilton had to answer the question about which driver he supports in the fight for the drivers’ title in 2022: Leclerc or Verstappen .
“So, you already ruled us out?”, replied the Briton with a smile on his face. “You really underestimate us. But looking at what’s going on, it seems that Ferrari is stronger in qualifying, while Red Bull is stronger in the race. But everything changes from week to week.”
“I’m not prepared to predict who will win. But if I were in the shoes of the normal fans, I would support Charles, because I’m a Ferrari fan in general,” Hamilton said.
Upon hearing this, the journalist from the Italian newspaper could not help but ask the seven-time world champion if at some point in his Formula 1 career he would like to sign for the Maranello team and wear the always demanding and admired red colors.
“See what it says here?” Hamilton said, pointing to one of his tattoos. “Devotion! Of course it would be nice to drive a Ferrari at least once in your career, but in life nothing happens by chance. The Mercedes team has become my family, I can only say that I will always be a Mercedes driver, as Stirling Moss always was,” he concluded.
Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc on the podium
