Lewis Hamilton is not in the title fight this year and will have to wait at least another year before hoping to win his eighth title.
Lewis Hamilton wrote off his hopes of winning the eighth world title in 2022 after only a handful of races at the start of this season. It was clear to the 7-time world champion that W13 was not a championship-challenging car right from the start.
Nevertheless, Karun Chandhok hints at the possibility that the 37-year-old might never win a world title again! Chandhok points out Verstappen as the biggest problem that stands in way to do so.
Last year’s title fight will go down as one of the most controversial, exciting, and dramatic fights down to the wire. Max Verstappen won his maiden world title after a dramatic conclusion to the 2021 title fight at Abu Dhabi in the last race.
Many can argue that Hamilton was snatched away from his eighth world title after a rather controversial decision by then FIA race director Michael Masi.
Moreover, this season also came as a disappointment for Hamilton. Mercedes struggled to produce a competitive car following the new regulations.
Now, Max Verstappen holds a commanding lead coming after the summer break in the Belgian GP. Verstappen leads the championship by whopping 80 points from Leclerc and a further 112 points lead on Hamilton.
The 7-time world Champion is yet to win a race this season. It is clear that Mercedes is out of both championships this year.
A ‘Hamilton’ comeback for the eighth title in 2023?
It is a surprise to no one that Hamilton is known for his incredible comeback drives. But can he make a comeback next season, challenging in the front again?
The new regulations tweak might help Mercedes next season. Silver Arrows might go back to fighting in front. However, the biggest problem between Hamilton and his eighth title is undoubtedly Max Verstappen.
The Dutch has shown a more calm and composed self this season. Showcasing patience, it is clear that Verstappen has become more mature after winning the title last year.
The same attitude change in manner is making Karun Chandhok doubt if anyone would be able to challenge Verstappen in the coming years or not.
“The Dutchman came into this season with the huge legion of Hamilton fans calling him an unworthy world champion. But he’s kept his head down, avoided the distractions and has built a campaign around supreme consistency and speed,”
he wrote for Sky Sports.
“Eight wins from the first 13 races has been brilliant in itself. But the manner in which Max has delivered some of those wins by calmly picking his moments to overtake and seize opportunities is a clear indication of a driver who has added title-battling experience to the already prodigious amount of god-given talent.
“There’s seemingly no weakness now, which is ominous for the opposition. Not just this year but in the future too.”
On the other hand, his teammate, Sergio Perez is also doing his job right. Red Bull also holds a strong lead in the constructors championship.
Nevertheless, Mercedes was showing signs of a comeback as Hamilton was reaching the pace of race leaders. Furthermore, Hamilton secured 5 podiums in a row before going to summer break.
With flexi floor regulation change coming in from Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes could again be fighting in front.
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