2 weeks Ago By Tom Parsons
Lewis Hamilton may have a unique opportunity to clinch a record eighth F1 world title after Carlos Sainz lauded his Ferrari car following the Mexican Grand Prix qualifying session. Sainz clocked the fastest lap to secure pole position and will be aiming to land his second race victory of the season. Hamilton has spent the last 11 seasons with Mercedes and has won six of his seven F1 titles with the Brackley-based team.
But he is set to join Ferrari at the end of the year, with Sainz departing the team to make room for the Briton. Sainz, who will move to Williams next season, qualified in top spot in Mexico ahead of Red Bull star Max Verstappen and McLaren ace Lando Norris . And after his fine performance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the Spaniard explained: “[It’s] very sweet, given how good the car is, how well I'm driving recently - it is very optimistic going into the last five races.
“At the same time [it is] bittersweet because it gives me the feeling that Ferrari might be in the fight for the world championship next year and I won't be there to use it. I feel like I have been quite a big part of this team during the four years trying to prepare the team to fight for that championship next year, you know?” Ferrari were well adrift of Red Bull at the start of the season, with three-time world champion Verstappen winning seven of the opening 10 races. But the Scuderia are now in the mix at every Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc tasting victory in the United States last weekend.
Sainz may have paid the price for his inability to match Leclerc throughout the season, with the Monegasque star bagging 60 more points than his team-mate this year after winning three races. And Hamilton could be the man to benefit when the 2025 season gets underway in March. Hamilton has proven over an extended period of time that he is a born winner who can grind out victory after victory given the right tools to work with.
He is one of the best drivers in the history of F1, but has seen his dominance in the sport evaporate in recent years due to Mercedes ’ inability to craft a winning car in the aftermath of regulation changes at the end of 2021. But if Ferrari do indeed have a car that can get the better of the Red Bull and McLaren offerings next year, the 39-year-old will be ready to pounce. And few would bet against the veteran landing that elusive eighth title to finally pass Michael Schumacher at the top of the all-time title standings.
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