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For the ninth time in the thirteenth race of the season, Hamilton climbed to the top step of the podium after returning from the premier class at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. His Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas finished second ahead of Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and made perfect the recent World Cup triumph among Mercedes designers. “At the moment it’s overwhelming,” said Hamilton, who had already thanked his team via pit radio: “I’m very proud of you.”
Hamilton recalled once more that success was hard-earned. “People who watch at home may think that everything is normal for us, but doing something like that over and over again is incredible,” said the 35-year-old. Team boss Toto Wolff was also proud of the new record, so far Mercedes was on par with Ferrari, despite the protection on the mouth and nose written on the face. “It’s something to be proud of. We have a group that works well together, ”said the Viennese.
Mercedes already has the driver’s title in its pocket. Because after Max Verstappen in Imola only Bottas can catch up with Hamilton. The Englishman could be the new world champion in Istanbul in two weeks. Following the victory at Imola, Hamilton is 85 points ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix, which has slid down the calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the season. Hamilton has to have 78 points more than his stablemate after the Bosphorus race to be confirmed again as world champion. Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles would be set prematurely.
Hamilton is fueling speculation
The renewed victory of the drivers’ title, which would be the sixth joint between Mercedes and Hamilton, would accelerate, according to team boss Wolff, also the negotiations on an extension of the British contract, which has been in a “Silver Arrow” since 2013 Because the 35-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the year. Wolff expects an agreement on further cooperation as soon as the title race is finally decided. “So far it has not been the right time for both of us before these titles are over,” said the Viennese.
Hamilton, for his part, did not want to put himself under pressure, but even fueled speculation about a farewell, not only from Mercedes, but also from Formula 1. “There are many things that excite me about life afterwards. Time will tell, ”said the 35-year-old. Even his crew chief did not want to completely rule out a sudden departure from Hamilton. “Nothing is certain in life as long as there is no signature,” said the 48-year-old. “I don’t think and hope that will happen,” Wolff added, knowing full well that Hamilton would only be the only record holder with eight World Cup titles.
Victoria with a bitter aftertaste
For Hamilton, however, the first hit at Imola also had an unusual container-shaped bitter aftertaste for the mandatory enjoyment of winning champagne. Because Hamilton let third-ranked Ricciardo urge him to do a “Shoey,” a sip of his shoes. However, the Englishman did not use his for this, instead clinking with his Australian colleague’s second running boot.
“It definitely didn’t taste good,” said Hamilton after the action of the two drivers on the winner’s podium, which was questionable in times of pandemic, “I don’t like champagne very much and it definitely tastes worse.” The challenge especially accepted by Ricciardo’s mother, says Hamilton: “She thinks I’m a good athlete. I am grateful to him for that, ”said the 93-race winner.
