Formula 1 analyst and racing driver Xavier Maassen still expects a lot from Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in the remaining Formula 1 season.
According to Maassen, Hamilton was one of the fastest on the track last Sunday in the Grand Prix of Spain, which was won by Max Verstappen.
frustration
Verstappen won on Sunday at the Barcelona circuit and took over the World Cup lead from Charles Leclerc. “It was certainly not the easiest race for Verstappen”, Maassen looks back on that race. “First he had a trip to the gravel box, then he was behind Russell and then he had a broken DRS. But they have turned it around fantastically by changing the strategy and of course Verstappen drove well himself.”
Hamilton
Yet Maassen also caught his eye on Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion finished fifth, but could have easily won, says the racing driver: “He was 70 seconds behind after the incident with Kevin Magnussen and eventually finishes 50 seconds behind Verstappen. That gives him courage.” With a third place from George Russell in Barcelona, Mercedes is more up front than at the start of the season. “It seems they have the problems under control. So I expect a lot from Hamilton and Russell.”
Epic
The 2022 Formula 1 season has now had six races and Maassen has never been bored. “Of course we said last year that we would never see a season like this again, but this season has been epic from the start.”