Lewis Hamilton is calling for Ferrari to push harder as they close in on Mercedes in the championship race. Just 32 points behind Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton stresses the importance of consistency and reliability.
Lewis Hamilton is ready for Ferrari to step on the gas as they approach the Belgian Grand Prix. With a mere 32-point gap to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship, Hamilton is urging his team to increase their efforts. "It's time to really crack the whip and do better," Hamilton declared during a media session ahead of the weekend.
The seven-time champion currently trails George Russell by seven points for the second spot, while Ferrari is 78 points behind Mercedes in the Teams' Championship. Recent races have seen Ferrari close the gap, with Hamilton achieving four podiums in five events, including a triumphant return to the top step in Barcelona.
Hamilton expressed uncertainty about the upcoming race at Spa, noting the challenge posed by the circuit's long straights. However, he remains enthusiastic, praising the team's hard work and the gradual improvements they've made. "I love this track, the weather is great, and I'm really proud of the team and incremental steps that we're taking," he said.
When discussing the team's recent performance uptick, Hamilton attributed it to several factors: "Better execution through the weekends, better understanding of the car, how hard the team has worked to develop the car and move it in the direction that both drivers are pushing it towards."
Mercedes, despite being the top team, has faced reliability issues, with Antonelli unable to score in Barcelona and Silverstone due to mechanical problems. Hamilton emphasized the need for consistency and reliability in the title race. "Often in championships that is the case, and that's really down to the amazing work that the team has done in building us a reliable car," he explained.
Hamilton is grateful for the team's efforts in crafting a fast and dependable car, noting that it's no small feat. "Very grateful to them for that, and then just try my best to extract everything, every single lap and every single point out of the car," he added.
As the Belgian Grand Prix approaches, the pressure is on Ferrari and Hamilton to maintain their momentum and challenge Mercedes for the top spot.