Mercedes chairman and triple Formula One world champion (1975, 1977, 1984) Niki Lauda claims that points leader Lewis Hamilton is currently “unbeatable”.
The Briton stormed to his 10th pole of the season at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend before dominating the Belgian Grand Prix to secure his sixth win in 2015. Hamilton now has a 28-points edge over team-mate Nico Rosberg in the standings.
“At the moment it doesn't look like it [is possible to defeat Hamilton] because it was an incredible performance in practice, outstanding performance in the race and at the moment Lewis is unbeatable,” Lauda told the BBC.
Although Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff suggested upping his qualifying game might help Rosberg revert the trend, Lauda seems to believe that only errors from Hamilton could bolster the German’s potential recovery.
“If Lewis does not do a mistake in the next couple of races it will be hard for Nico. These things happen in racing lives, some guy is going forward and the other is still struggling: we have this situation.
“Nico will still try to fight him and it could be that at the next couple of races Lewis will make a small mistake with the set-up of the car and Nico will be there again.”
“Nico is fighting like crazy, but Lewis raised his game, especially here [at Spa]. I think he was unbeatable.”
In 2014, it was Rosberg who headed to Monza with a 29-point lead in the championship after he and Hamilton had infamously clashed on Lap 2 of the Belgian race.
The Briton still managed to find fresh impetus in his title bid and went on winning six of the seven remaining grands prix to seal a second crown.
Click here for a lighter look at the Belgian Grand Prix, courtesy of F1i special contributor Eric Silbermann.
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