CALCUTTA (India): Lewis Hamilton may have wrapped up his drivers’ title and Mercedes’ their sixth constructors’ championship, but admitted he was not sure if he can mount a serious bid in Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
“I still want to win the races, it’s just as hard to win these races that are coming up,” said the Briton.
Hamilton finished fifth in FP2 behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas, and didn’t set a time in a wet FP1 session.
But he was optimistic about Mercedes’ chances against FP2 leaders Ferrari.
“It’s almost a different approach for me now because you can be a little bit more aggressive and try some different strategies and different ways in how you go about the weekend and the processes,” added Hamilton.
As Toto Wolff misses his first GP since 2013 this weekend, it’ll be a different atmosphere, but Hamilton maintained that Wolff’s absence would make little difference to the team’s performance.
“It’s just such a breath of fresh air (without Wolff)! I’m kidding,” the 32-year-old told F1.com.
Bottas, who will finish as runner-up to Hamilton in the drivers’ championship, said he felt optimistic.
“I think we look quite competitive, even for qualifying, but we still have lots more to come,” he said.
Nobody would have expected Hamilton to take his foot off the accelerator after he won the sixth title, but a change of approach – and some experimentation – in Brazil and Abu Dhabi could pay dividends for the Silver Arrows, who will want to hit the ground running for their 2020 title defence.
