Despite taking the lead in the Formula 1 driver standings over Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton believes that Ferrari have an advantage over Mercedes.
As a result of his victory and the retirement of Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in the German Grand Prix this past Sunday, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport’s Lewis Hamilton retook the lead in the Formula 1 driver standings over Vettel.
Hamilton came into the race, which was the 11th race of the 21-race 2018 Formula 1 season, trailing Vettel by eight points (171 to 163), and he came out leading him by 17 points (188 to 171).
Mercedes’ four-time Formula 1 champion took this lead over Ferrari’s four-time champion as a result of the shocking turn of events that took place on the 52nd lap of the 67-lap race around the 17-turn, 2.842-mile (4.574-kilometer) Hockenheimring in Am Motodrom, Hockenheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
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With Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas finishing the race in second place ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen in third, Mercedes also retook the lead in the constructor standings over Ferrari. They entered the race trailing Ferrari by 20 points (287 to 267), but they came out leading them by eight points (310 to 302).
However, while Hamilton now leads the driver standings and Mercedes now lead the constructor standings, the 33-year-old Briton still believes that Ferrari have an advantage over Mercedes and that they are currently the team to beat.
Here is what the Hamilton had to say about the matter, according to TSN.
"“Ferrari have really taken a step up, particularly in their qualifying performance. We are under no illusion we have to battle hard against them. They slightly have the upper hand at the moment. We’re racing a team that is faster than us this year. Last year was more balanced, this year is swinging more in their direction. We’re having to over-deliver at weekends.“There are parts of my performance this year which aren’t perfect. Last year I was great in qualifying, this year it’s an area I need to work on. (My) starts were more consistent last year.“We haven’t performed 100 per cent every weekend. Our reliability has been exceptional in the past; it’s dipped a little lower than what perhaps we would hope. I really position myself, mentally and physically, so I’m the last to crack.“Our cars today, with the technology and the data, all that kind of stuff…in the dry it seems a little bit easier for drivers to get close to each other. But when it comes to those conditions, when it’s really about feel, that’s when it’s magnified the most and that’s when I feel the driver’s able to make the biggest difference.”"
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It is clear that Ferrari have been faster than their standings positions indicate. But do you believe that they have the an advantage over Mercedes, and if so, do you believe that they will capitalize on that advantage to win their first constructor championship since the 2008 Formula 1 season?
Do you believe that Sebastian Vettel will capitalize on that advantage to beat Lewis Hamilton to five championships, winning his first title since he drove for Red Bull Racing in the 2013 season and winning Ferrari’s first driver championship since Kimi Raikkonen won the 2007 season for the team in the process?