According to Damon Hill, there are only limited opportunities for Lewis Hamilton to catch up on title rival Max Verstappen. The two are just eight points apart in the drivers’ championship, in favor of the Dutchman. However, Mercedes seems to have a faster car.
It was another dominant weekend for Hamilton in Qatar. After taking pole position, the Briton was able to claim victory on Sunday without any problems. Verstappen eventually finished second after a five-place grid penalty at the start of the race, although he was able to clock the fastest lap.
“Looks like Lewis is the fighter at the moment,” Hill said F1 Nations Podcast. “He is happy with where he is, as a chasing party. However, there are only a few possibilities where he can make up for his shortcoming (in the World Cup, ed.). Statistically he can lose the championship to Verstappen, he can even win the title in Saudi Arabia if things turn out differently.”
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According to Hill, the world championship could fall in a different direction very quickly. “It’s the first time in ages that it’s all about the last two races,” continues the former F1 driver. “This is the first time you can say, ‘If something happens to one of the protagonists, the other becomes world champion.”
If something happens to Hamilton in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen can just claim the world title. Hill, however, doubts whether this is real. “When is the last time Hamilton finished sixth? In addition, he still has that new combustion engine. Toto Wolff said the ‘spicy’ engine will be used again,” said the 1996 world champion.
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