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Hamilton downbeat after new Mercedes tyre struggles

Hamilton downbeat after new Mercedes tyre struggles

  • Published on 09 Jul 2013 11:26
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Lewis Hamilton says Pirelli's tyres are ruining his shot at the 2013 title. "I'm not really thinking about the championship now," said the Nurburgring pole sitter. "There's really no point."

Earlier, having seen his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg win two of the past three grands prix, the Briton sounded optimistic he could chase down Sebastian Vettel's points lead after dominating qualifying on Saturday. But then came Sunday, where it became clear the move from steel to kevlar-belted tyres, and the clampdown on team tyre-trickery, had hurt Mercedes considerably.

Hamilton said the 2013 tyre situation is one of the things separating him from another prominent British sports star, Andy Murray, who has finally broken though to win Wimbledon. "It is just him and the racket," said the 2008 world champion. "So many elements come into motor racing. There is the electronics performing, the suspension, the frickin' tyres, things that are out of my control," added Hamilton.

Now Pirelli is making yet another change for Hungary -- a new tyre combining the 2012 construction with the 2013 compounds. "We just have to hope and pray that they work on our car," Hamilton is quoted by the German news agency DPA. He is not confident. "It would be good to get a win at some stage but at the moment it really doesn't feel like it's going to happen," said the 28-year-old.

But Hamilton said Fernando Alonso, despite a car development dip for Ferrari, should be more confident. Asked if the title hunt is effectively over for all of Vettel's 2013 rivals, he insisted: "Definitely not for Fernando. Fernando's definitely within shooting range." (GMM)

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F1 News Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Sebastian Vettel Mercedes Pirelli Ferrari

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Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia
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Circuit Suzuka
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Shanghai International Circuit
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Italy
Monza
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Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
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Marina Bay Street Circuit
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Circuit of the Americas
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Mexico
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Brazil
Interlagos
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United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
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China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
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Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
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Spain Circuit de Catalunya
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Italy Monza
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Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
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Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
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United States of America Circuit of the Americas
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Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
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ES Fernando Alonso 14
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