Lewis Hamilton believes he remains in a ‘phenomenal’ position as he leads the 2016 championship with just seven races to go.
That is despite teammate Nico Rosberg achieving back-to-back victories in Belgium and Italy, cutting the Briton’s lead to just two points.
Whilst Hamilton may be frustrated he has allowed his teammate to close the gap since the summer break, he knows when push comes to shove he has all the tools and talent he needs to secure himself a fourth world championship something that looked very far away back in May.
Rosberg had led the Mercedes battle by 43 points following the Spanish Grand Prix, but a resurgent Lewis won six of the next seven races to give him a 17-point lead after the German round.
“Monza didn’t quite go to plan,” Hamilton told ESPN after a poor start ultimately handed victory to his rival.
“But when you look at how far we’ve come as a team this season, from the position we were in, then I realise I’m in a phenomenal position. We’re still leading both World Championships and there are still so many great things to achieve together, even before this season is through.”
Despite the dominance Mercedes have shown in 2016, they arrive in Singapore this weekend unsure if they will have the upper hand on their rivals.
Last year tyre and setup issues meant both drivers struggled around the street circuit with both Silver Arrow’s failing to make the podium.
Indeed for Nico Rosberg, Marina Bay has become something of a bogey track as he failed to stand the podium since the inaugural race back in 2008.
As reported here on Read Motorsport, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff can’t be certain if his team has overcome the issues they faced last year, but both he and Hamilton are excited at the prospect of a six-way battle at the front.
“Next up it’s Singapore, which is always a great event. The race is a challenge with the heat and humidity — but it’s a street circuit, which I love,” the world champion said. “We didn’t have the greatest weekend there last year, so hopefully we’re on top of that now. I guess we’ll find out in a few days’ time!
“Either way, it’s not going to be an easy breezy drive. Even when we won there back in 2014, it wasn’t straightforward.
“Ferrari and Red Bull will be on it I’m sure, so we’ve got a big fight on our hands if we are up at the front. I love a battle, so I’m excited to see how it plays out.”
