Ferrari new boy Carlos Sainz has suggested that a number of Lewis Hamilton’s seven Drivers’ Championship title wins were aided by a distinct lack of competition from the rest of the grid. The Stevenage-born driver has enjoyed a five-year period of dominance in Formula One, scooping every available title while helping Mercedes to achieve no less than seven successive Constructors’ Championship triumphs.
Hamilton got off to the perfect start once again this year with victory in last month’s Bahrain Grand Prix, holding Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at arm’s length during the closing stages to take the chequered flag.
The Dutchman edged into the lead with only a few laps remaining, but was ordered to give up the position after exceeding track limits in order to squeeze ahead.
Hamilton is aiming to clinch an unprecedented eighth world title this season, but is likely to face stiff competition in the form of Verstappen with Red Bull looking incredibly strong in terms of car performance.
He has regularly faced criticism from onlookers suggesting that he has only been successful up to this point as a result of Mercedes’ ability to consistently produce championship-winning cars.
Carlos Sainz, who opted to leave McLaren in favour of Scuderia Ferrari ahead of the 2021 Formula 1 season, has declared that Hamilton’s lack of genuine opposition in previous campaigns has indeed helped him to establish a firm grip on proceedings.
However, the Spaniard also claimed that his Mercedes rival has been successful on merit, admitting that he is a huge admirer of the 36-year-old’s formidable talent behind the wheel.
“He has all the qualities a driver would like to have,” Sainz told Italian outlet Corriere della Sera when quizzed on Hamilton. He has no weaknesses, I see that on the track. Maybe he lacked competition in some seasons, he had to beat one-two opponents at most. But if we put everyone in the same car, Lewis would be among the best.” – the Spanish driver explained.
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