Hamilton: Big 100 race wins number 'taking longer than ever'

©Mercedes

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Lewis Hamilton says his 100th career win in Formula 1 "will come when it comes" but the Mercedes driver admits the milestone is "taking longer than ever" to achieve.

Hamilton conquered his 99th career win in the F1 world championship at Silverstone back in July. Since, the Briton has finished three times on the podium and suffered one DNF – in Monza after colliding with title rival Max Verstappen.

The seven-time world champion will start his Russian Grand Prix from fourth on the grid, with an ambitious trio of young guns - Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz and George Russell - just ahead.

Hamilton says he'll be giving it his all in Sochi as he chases his landmark 100th win.

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"It will come when it comes, but of course, I'll be giving it absolutely everything tomorrow, chasing that number 100," Hamilton said after qualifying.

"It's a big number. It seems like it's taking longer than ever before to get it. It's a pretty cool number to wait for."

With Verstappen starting at the back of the grid following an engine change in the Red Bull camp, Hamilton will hopefully be spared another wheel-to-wheel battle and potential clash with his nemesis.

Asked if he had completely recovered from the neck pain he endured following his run-in with the Dutchman at Monza last time out, Hamilton said that he was "generally feeling fine" after entrusting his soreness to the healing hands of physio Angela Cullen.

©Mercedes

"We did a lot last week, I was feeling really good, got back into training, and arrived here generally feeling fine," Hamilton said.

"And then after the day of being in the car, I was feeling a bit tight in the back of my neck, and woke up in the morning with some pains. I had some pains yesterday, and we worked on it.

"I woke up again this morning with a little bit of pain in my muscles. Angela was just working on it this morning with a trigger point releasing. And then I was just using the gun thing that you use to soften the muscle.

"But generally it's fine. It's just a bit of nervousness kind of feeling."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.