Lewis Hamilton will start at the Italian Grand Prix with a new contract. The racetrack in Monza is one of his favorite courses – there he wants to finally beat Max Verstappen again in the race on Sunday (September 3rd, 2023).
Those who have achieved everything rarely have big goals. Especially if you have already achieved this several times. At Lewis Hamilton is that the case: he is the record world champion in Formula 1 with seven titles. The fact how much he is behind Max Verstappen in the past and current season has grabbed his ambition.
Hamilton’s goal for the world title: if not in 2024, then in 2025
The 38-year-old has now extended his contract with Mercedes and, contrary to his original plan, will still be racing around the world at the age of 40 and more. Because he absolutely wants to be world champion again and prove it to everyone, but first and foremost himself. “The goal is clear, but the task is not so easy”said Hamilton. “Deep down in my heart, I’m convinced that if next year isn’t enough, it will be the year after that.”
But above all, his team has to improve. His car is currently not eligible for the title. Red Bull is ahead of Mercedes, others are at least on par. And yet Hamilton gives the racing team, to which he owes his previous successes, confidence. “Mercedes has supported me since I was 13 years old. There is no place I would rather be. And we still have work to do.”said the Brit.
“Perhaps the most difficult weekend for Verstappen”
Hamilton is currently still not a candidate for race wins, although there were two second places in spring, so far a Red Bull has always been in front – most recently it was Verstappen nine times in a row. But the Italian Grand Prix, which is on the Formula 1 schedule this weekend, has great potential for big surprises.
“This weekend might be the most difficult for Max. Monza is a completely different track, you drive with very little drag“said Pierre Gasly from the Alpine racing team. “I’d be surprised if he can pull out a 30 second lead like he does at some other circuits.”
Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen
Monza is always good for a surprise
Gasly himself knows best that there is more potential at Monza than at other circuits, even for outsiders. In 2020, the Frenchman drove completely surprisingly to his only Grand Prix victory in Formula 1 to date. In the recent past, it has rarely been the favorites who have prevailed anyway. The Verstappen victory last year was an exception.
| Year | winner | team |
|---|---|---|
2013 | Sebastian Vettel | red bull |
2014 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
2015 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
2016 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes |
2017 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
2018 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
2019 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
2020 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri |
2021 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren Mercedes |
2022 | Max Verstappen | red bull |
For Hamilton, the first race after his contract extension could well be more than preparation for the next season or the season after. Not only because many more drivers than usual are allowed to hope in Italy, but because the Mercedes driver is a proven Monza expert.
Monza the fastest circuit in the world thanks to Hamilton
Hamilton has been the first to cross the finish line five times. Since 1995, nobody but him has managed to win there twice in a row – he did it twice (2014 and 2015 as well as 2017 and 2018).
And Hamilton has the “Temple of Speed” made it the fastest Formula 1 track in the world. In qualifying for 2020, he set the fastest lap in the history of the sport with a time of 1:18.887 minutes and an average speed of 264.362 km/h. In doing so, he broke a 35-year-old record of Keke Rosberg from Silverstone.
When things get really fast, Hamilton is basically really good. In this list of the fastest racetracks, the British “Sir” drove the fastest time in four out of seven cases. Thanks to him, in addition to Monza, the courses in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Mugello (Italy) and Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) are among the top 7 high-speed circuits.
Best conditions at the weekend
The field is set: contract extension, favorite route with potential for surprises, top speeds, the weather report promises perfect conditions for the weekend with 27 to 30 degrees without rain. Now the only question is whether Hamilton and the Mercedes are actually good enough to distance Verstappen in a race.
Otherwise it will just be the next lesson in what needs to change to really be a title contender again. For Hamilton, Monza will be a race between the present and the future.