Lewis Hamilton in major championship boost as he closes in on signing new £100million contract with Mercedes
LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a timely boost around his Mercedes contract renewal.
The Brit was quickest in the dry during second practice at the Canadian GP, and while he was only 10th on the timesheets for the rain-hit final session, there is belief that Mercedes are now heading in the right direction.
Hamilton, who is closing in on a two-year contract worth £100 million, now has reason to be optimistic that he will be in position to challenge Max Verstappen next season.
Merc’s technical director James Allison said: “Can this car become competitive enough to win a race this year? I’d say with the following wind yes it can.
“Can we, if we do the right things over the remainder of this year and across the years, can we be in a championship fight for the following year? Even more yes.”
Allison’s comments will be welcome news to Hamilton, who has not won a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabia GP.
The team had struggled with the design of their car and were forced to scrap it after qualifying at the Bahrain GP at the first race of the season.
Hamilton, who is eyeing up a role as Merc’s ambassador for when he quits F1, delivered a positive option of the team’s upgrades, which have been introduced since the Monaco GP.
Speaking at the Canadian GP, Hamilton said: “I’m definitely feeling the improvements we felt in Monaco, I’m feeling them here.
“I love driving this track. It’s mega. From the moment you leave the pit lane you’re like, ‘Yeah, this is wicked!’
“We’ve been making progress in the car. Last race, we’ve all been buzzing back at the factory, the whole team has this new energy and kind of feel that we’ve got a North Star – we know where we’re going and how to get there.”
However, the drop in temperatures caused Mercedes to struggle in the wet ahead of qualifying.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has come in for more criticism after he crashed out in Montreal.
The Spaniard was also hauled in to see the stewards for blocking Alex Albon during FP3.
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Sainz’s miserable run was halted when he crashed into the barrier at turn one, bringing out the red flags.
He climbed from the car unscathed but the pressure is building on Sainz, who sixth in the championship.
Former F1 world champion Jenson Button said: “He touched the white line and lost the rear, it could be gearbox, front and rear wings, floor. So much damage.”