This feels like a new Hamilton, one that thinks "Better to consolidate third than to wreck the tyres going for Second" This sort of Hamilton could have won the Championship in 2010!
In this video (from 4.20-4.53) Ted Kravitz says that Hamilton's game plan to win the championship this year is to be consistent (ie keep finishing on the podium). I think all it'll take is for someone else to start building a championship lead over Hamilton for the consistency to end. I'm convinced Ferrari will be close to the frontrunners by Spain and I think Red Bull will be quickest by then - they're already close to McLaren and once they optimise their exhaust they'll surely be ahead.
Indeed, Vettel did say it would take up to 4 races until a clear picture was made with regard to the pace of the car.
As a Hammy fan, I'm pretty happy with the two races so far. All I wanted from the first couple of races was some clean podiums which have happened, and although they may not be the best results that he can hope for, they are way better than a few none scoring positions. I understand that not everybody is a Hamilton fan, but I think it would be good all round to see him fighting at the sharp end and at the top of his game again this year... And I'd say the same for all the other WDCs on the grid!
I'm pretty sure (correct me if I'm wrong, someone) that that '2007 approach' was only adopted in the post-race interview following his second third-place finish. I don't think it's an actual game plan. Consistency is key but I don't think it's Hamilton's strongest attribute and while rival teams are sorting their cars out he really needs to be taking full advantage. Not that I would write Hamilton off: two comments stand out to me. One was what his dad said before the season, along the lines of: "you've only seen a young Lewis Hamilton - now you're going to see a new Lewis Hamilton." One of the things that's irked me throughout his career is his constant refrain of having "learned" and "grown stronger," only to come back a week later and make the same or similar mistakes he was supposed to have learned from. Maybe 2011 was a catharsis and this time he really has grown and matured. The other comment was by Paul Hembery, who praised Hamilton (almost as highly as he praised Alonso) for adapting his driving style to better manage the tyres. I think that is what's underpinning his "consistency." The problem is, consistently snatching a third place from the jaws of pole position when your rivals are getting tangled up with Karthikeyans or dropping out in Q2 isn't much of a save. I agree that Red Bull will likely be on top by the Spanish GP, although I have read that they are already successfully sealing the diffuser with the exhaust, they just aren't able to recover as much of the rear-end downforce that they've lost from off-throttle blowing as other teams who didn't utilise it as effectively. I'm sure that will come but, even if it doesn't, from what scraps of comparative performance levels we've seen so far they're only a smidgeon behind McLaren. If the Farrauber comes to fruition and also gets on terms then I don't think managing his tyres at the expense of raw speed and his maximum attack mindset will reap the rewards Hamilton says he thinks it will.
It's going to be a tough job for Hamilton to win now he's got a grid penalty http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7666753/Hamilton-hit-with-grid-penalty Kind of a shame that drivers get hit with penalties for things that are totally out of control. How long before you get a grid penalty at the next race for having to change your nose cone? ;-)
We shall see on Sunday, this is exactly the sort of situation that cost him more points than it should've last season. He's attitude has impressed me the last few races, I don't mind if he wasn't ecstatic with joy on the podium in Aus, he was probably reflecting on the race and disappointed because he didn't win the race as he probably should've, I doubt I would've been any different. Much like some of Lewis seems to have rubbed off on Button last season we can hope the reverse is true, I'm not particularly patriotic, but it would be nice to see 2 British drivers at a British team battling for the championship down to the last.
This race is set up to potentially break or make his confidence. A strong performance will confirm to himself that he's mentally with it, where as if he falls apart he may think he's still in 2011.
I smell a Vettel vs Lewis battle on race day. Front row Jenson Schumacher/Rosberg 2nd row Grosjean/Kimi Webber 3rd row Vettel Lewis
I'm not so sure about that. He may start 6th and finish 4th. He'd be disappointed but, only three races in, I don't think his confidence would be shattered.
I was more worried about getting caught in traffic and trying to recover to much to quickly. I think if he can get another 3rd that'll be enough to keep him happy.
Happy in a kind of glum way. At the end of the day, the gearbox change and five-place grid drop is out of his hands so he'll be able to rationalise almost anything, short of barging into Massa at turn 3 maybe.
