Lewis Hamilton makes major F1 prediction as McLaren boss sends warning to rivals

Lewis Hamilton is eyeing an immensely aggressive finish to the season with 4 groups able to successful races as McLaren put together to deliver extra updates to spearhead their efforts

Lewis Hamilton reckons it will likely be “one hell of a second half of the season” when F1 returns from its summer season break.

The seven-time world champion has received two of the previous three races and claimed victory within the final race in Belgium – owing to his team-mates disqualification. A season that regarded set to be dominated by Purple Bull as soon as once more is now extraordinarily aggressive.

Max Verstappen retains a wholesome lead on the high of the driving force’s standings, however has solely received three of the final 9 races as the remainder of the sphere shut the hole. McLaren have advanced to turn out to be the quickest package deal on the grid, permitting each their drivers to win races for the primary time.

Mercedes, after a number of years of battle, too are again within the hunt and have received three of the previous 4 races with Hamilton happy to see them again within the celebration as he eyes an thrilling ending with ten races left.

He stated on the present state of play: “It’s actually improbable, I believe, for the game, to be having such shut groups and drivers. The pedigree of drivers on the high as we speak are actually elite and wonderful. We didn’t anticipate to be competing with the McLarens or the Purple Bulls at this level within the season, you already know, with how we began off, so for us to now have closed up and be… It’s going to be one hell of a second half of the season, for positive.”

The paddock will resume on the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort in a matter of weeks. One of many main subplots is whether or not Norris can chase down Verstappen’s lead as the present world champion eyes a fourth title on the bounce – a feat solely achieved by 4 drivers in historical past.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella has talked up the chance for his or her automotive to enhance additional. He claimed they have not completed something new to the automotive because the Miami Grand Prix – however is able to deliver developments.

He stated: “Speaking for McLaren, we appear to be now in situation to money in a few of these developments that we have now accrued within the background. I’d anticipate that for the second a part of the season, we can have a number of paths, and in a manner, I’m shocked that we have now been so aggressive, contemplating that from Miami onwards, we have not really introduced trackside many new components. It implies that the Miami improve was large, however there’s some upgrades that can come within the second a part of the season.”

Oscar Piastri has talked down the pace of the McLaren – insisting all the groups have areas the place they excel. “We positively nonetheless do have some completely different traits [to Red Bull],” stated the Australian. “For my part, Budapest is de facto the one weekend for us the place you’ll be able to clearly say [we were fastest], as a result of even in saying that, if Max received by means of the visitors faster, he would have posed a critical risk.

“At different races, Mercedes has regarded very robust with Canada and Silverstone very robust and Ferrari have been very fast at sure races as nicely.”