Hamilton feels like hovering on a cloud of success

Lewis Hamilton has issued an ominous warning to his rivals. The reigning world champion has won three of the four races so far this season, leaving his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg trailing in his wake.

Niki Lauda says the German, Rosberg, needs to hit a metaphorical 'reset' now and start his 2015 campaign afresh, but veteran Jenson Button says that is not easy to do. "When your teammate beats you for two or three races on the trot it hurts," he said.

"You have to take it on the chin, look at the reasons why and move forward but it's easier said than done. You have moments where you doubt yourself," added Button. "Sometimes you're on a high and sometimes you're on a low. It makes a massive difference," he said.

So in stark contrast to Rosberg's low, then, is Hamilton's high. "I want the third title," he told Wednesday's Sport Bild, "like Senna." The Briton is already 27 points clear, visibly happier and more relaxed than ever, and - in Lauda's words - in "top form". "It feels like Sebastian (Vettel) in the year after his first title," Hamilton is quoted as saying.

Famously, Vettel fought tooth-and-nail against Red Bull teammate Mark Webber in 2010, before utterly crushing the Australian and every other rival in 2011. The German went on to also win in 2012 and 2013, and was often accused of cruising to his poles and victories all too easily. "It's like you're hovering on a cloud of success," Hamilton explained this week. "I'm still hungry for victory, but at the same time I'm much more relaxed."

The 30-year-old said managing to find a new gear for 2015 has even been a surprise. "I was thinking more likely it's going to go the other way," said Hamilton, "but I have almost surprised myself -- how I have been driving, how I have been adapting to things. I have been really proud of it generally." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 37
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 41
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 19 1980 (46)
  • Place of b. Frome, Somerset, GB
  • Weight 72 kg
  • Length 1.82 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar