"Things could have been different" - Hamilton
By De Jokke
October 24 2013
F1 ace Lewis Hamilton stated that Mercedes might have challenged Red Bull Racing if they would have been able to master the tyres from the very start of the season. The 28-year old claimed that the car is strong on high and low fuel but that the tyre woes prevented them to mount a serious title challenge this year.
Lewis Hamilton admits "things would have been different" this season had Mercedes mastered the Pirelli tyres.
With four races remaining, Sebastian Vettel is just a fifth place away from wrapping up his fourth successive Drivers' title while those behind him scrap over second.
Mathematically Hamilton could yet achieve the runner-up slot as he trails Fernando Alonso by 46 points with 100 still to play for.
However, the Brit concedes that second in the Constructors' Championship is a more realistic goal as Mercedes are just 10 points behind Ferrari.
"The experience (with Mercedes) has been fantastic. It has been enjoyable," he of his new team in an interview with Times of India. "It was a huge step at the end of last year.
"It has given me an opportunity to put my skill and knowledge I gained in the last six with a new team.
"Our goal is finish second in the Constructors' Championship and we are working very hard on it."
The 2008 World Champion, though, has been left to lament what could have been had Mercedes got the better of their Pirelli tyres rather than the other way around.
"For us it is just the tyres. If we didn't had issues with the tyres then things would have been different because the car is great on both heavy fuel and light fuel.
"When you have to do 10, 15 or 20 laps and you have 100 per cent of tyre then you have to spend it correctly. And you don't know how much to use and for what time. That's the biggest trick.
"Other cars have a little more down force to look after the rear tyre little bit better so we have to improve the rear end of the car to save the tyre."
The 28-year-old also weighed in on early comments he made about Vettel's domination being boring, saying he believes that the fans want to see close racing.
"I don't want to get into the politics anymore. I grew up watching Michael Schumacher era. He was a fabulous driver. Vettel also has been doing very well.
"People want to see good contest, close races that's what I look to do. All I want to do is race. I just love it. I have grown up doing that and want to continue doing it every time step on to the track."
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What I don't get is that Hamilton said that the car is good on low and high fuel. Previously he stated that this wasn't the case and Sky commentator Martin Brundle also said that once the fuel gets burned up, the car starts finding its pace.
Aah well, the season is over, let's hope they can nail that 2nd spot 'cause they deserve it!
"Leave it to Lewis Hamilton to ruin Red Bull's day" - Martin Brundle
In memoriam: Sessions
The tires are in really weird role. Fia and Pirelli can change compounds during the season. And they also manipulates the tires to be basicly c...p.
But the tires are same to every team. So if we look at it that way. Then RB has done the best job with Pirellis. If we had... we would be probably the best team now. And winning the titles.
We all knew Merc was a damp squid
We knew that this year they will be a lot more competitive from last year
Let us see who masters 2014....Merc have been claiming something special will happen. Hopefully positive
"Leave it to Lewis Hamilton to ruin Red Bull's day" - Martin Brundle
In memoriam: Sessions
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"Leave it to Lewis Hamilton to ruin Red Bull's day" - Martin Brundle
In memoriam: Sessions