Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after placing third in the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix © AFP/File / Loic Venance
MONZA, Italy, Sep 2 – Lewis Hamilton said he has no qualms about missing out on any available Mercedes engine upgrades later in the season even if team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg is given them.
The defending three-time world champion added that he feels it “is surreal” for him to be one win away from his 50th victory in Formula One as he bid to complete a hat-trick of successes in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.
“It is very surreal to think that I am embarking on (my bid for) a 50th victory,” said Hamilton on Thursday.
“Honestly, for me it doesn’t matter where it is, but what matters is the actual accolade.
“I do love it here and obviously it is a difficult time in Italy right now (after the earthquake).
“Last weekend (in Belgium) was an important race for me and I got what I needed from it and more.
“The penalties are done, the free weekend for the opponent has past and hopefully from now I can fight and it will be a race from here.”
Hamilton took three new power-units at the Belgian Grand Prix and started the race, with multiple penalties, from the back of the grid, yet stormed through the field to finish third.
Rosberg won to trim Hamilton’s world championship lead to nine points.
If he wins Sunday’s race, Hamilton will be the first man since Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950’s to complete a Monza hat-trick.
As to upgraded power units, which Mercedes may introduce later in the season, Hamilton said he is confident of winning races with the three that he has now.
He would be given further penalties if he took more power units, but Rosberg has capacity in hand.
“Most upgrades are mainly about reliability and I’m not worried about it,” he said. “I’m confident I can do the job with what I have.”
