Hamilton: Pouhon may be taken flat-out

  • Published on 24 Aug 2018 10:24
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton admits that he is excited by the prospect of taken Pouhon flat-out this weekend. Formula 1 returns from its annual summer break this morning, as the Spa-Francorchamps circuit hosts the Belgian Grand Prix.

Last year, drivers spoke highly of the speed around the track following the introduction of new aerodynamic regulations. The cars produced much more downforce than years gone by, allowing drivers to push harder and faster into corners.

And with the development of the aerodynamics still on-going, Hamilton believes that the famous Turn 12, Pouhon, could be taken flat-out during the weekend.

“It’s still a great track to drive,” said Hamilton. “And it’s exciting to think Pouhon might be flat-out this year, which is awesome. Your imagination of what it might be like going there, times that by a thousand and it probably won’t still be there.”

Hamilton arrives in Belgium 24 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the driver's standings. Mercedes has won every race at Spa since 2015, with Hamilton winning twice for the Silver Arrows. But the Briton is expecting a close fight with Ferrari throughout qualifying and the race.

"I don’t remember it being a favourite track for us in terms of performance,” the four-time champion said. “I don’t see it as an outlier. It’s not been a bad track for us, but I don’t see it more as an outlier than some of the other great ones like Silverstone, for example.

“It’s not a bad one for us. But you saw last year how close it was between us and Ferrari. This year they seem to have, at least towards the break, after Austria, quite a big step in power. This is a power circuit. I don’t know how we will compare with them power-wise this weekend but I think car performance-wise we should be quite close.”

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,173
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 189
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (39)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar