When Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag at the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in December 2021, after one of the most action-packed and demanding races of his career, the Brit stood on the podium proud. Defiant, even. With the awe of a competitor on the brink of history, he leapt off top-spot and pointed towards his team down below. A 103rd win was sealed; No 104 a week later would seal a record-breaking eighth crown. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, abruptly left the stage. That was then. This is now. In the 18 months since that win in Jeddah – a win which brought him level on points with Verstappen in 2021’s title race for the ages – Hamilton has been on the podium 12 times. No 12 was secured in impressive fashion from fourth on the grid in Spain on Sunday. Eight ‘second-place’ finishes; four ‘third-place’ results. But zero wins. Of course, the first of those 12 will be talked about until the cows come home. It seems borderline unfathomable that Hamilton could be so close to an eighth world championship then and still hunting that 104th grand prix victory now. Abu Dhabi 2021 was the cruellest of near-misses. But even since then, with Red Bull taking Mercedes’ mantle at the front of the pack, Hamilton’s racing has remained at an ultra-high level. Last year, he had a mid-season streak of five podiums in a row, with Silverstone his best opportunity to stand on top once again. A mid-race safety car ruined his strategy, with Carlos Sainz instead emerging as a winner in F1 for the first time. Yet it was Austin in October, with Verstappen’s second title already wrapped up, that was tougher to stomach. Hamilton was leading with five laps to go but, ultimately, was powerless to stop Verstappen’s Red Bull surging past him. This, indeed, is what will be most excruciating for the 38-year-old. No opportunities have been squandered. In fact, openings have largely been self-induced, with Hamilton having to make moves on Sunday to make up for a weak qualifying record on Saturday, such was the volatility of Mercedes’ car. And yet, Russell was the one who capitalised in Brazil last November, following a sprint victory at Interlagos with his debut grand prix win. Hamilton came home second. Russell also claimed Mercedes’ sole pole position last year, in Hungary, while Hamilton has also not qualified first since Saudi 2021. Outwardly at least, Hamilton’s confidence in Mercedes is unaffected, despite an 18-month period riddled with frustration. So much so that a new contract is on the verge of being signed by both parties. Yet for the fierce competitor inside, such a drought will be agonising. Upcoming races at Montreal and Silverstone represent more glimmers of hope, as the new-and-improved Mercedes car evolves. But, frankly, Verstappen and Red Bull remain in a league of their own. Russell was mocked after the first race of the season in Bahrain when he claimed Christian Horner’s team could win every race this year. It, remarkably, does not seem so farcical now. As for Hamilton, that record-breaking eighth title seems further away than ever, with the man himself already talking about 2024. Yet breaking the longest losing streak of his career will, instead, be the predominant goal in the forefront of his mind come Canada and the traditional European season thereafter. Read More Max Verstappen says Lewis Hamilton title fight ‘would be great for the sport’ Lando Norris reacts to Lewis Hamilton collision that ruined his Spanish Grand Prix Max Verstappen maintains dominance but Mercedes show their teeth at Spanish Grand Prix

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Lewis Hamilton fears he will start Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix outside of the top 10 following a disheartening day in practice for the British driver and his Mercedes team. As Max Verstappen predictably set the pace for Red Bull with a practice double at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, Hamilton finished only 11th, more than six tenths of a second back. Home favourite Fernando Alonso raised hope that he could challenge Verstappen and his all-conquering Red Bull team after he finished second for Aston Martin, just 0.170 seconds back. George Russell was eighth in the other Mercedes. Before stepping into his cockpit this weekend, Hamilton admitted that his team’s much-anticipated upgrade, which made its debut in Monaco a week ago, had not provided the magic fix he was hoping for. And on his new machine’s second outing at a track where the Silver Arrows said they would obtain a greater understanding of their upgrades, the evidence suggests they are no closer to taking on the mighty Red Bull, or leapfrogging rivals Aston Martin and Ferrari. Indeed, Mercedes might have fallen further down the pecking order, with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, and the Alfa Romeo of Valtteri Bottas all above the seven-time world champion in the order. Asked about his prospects for qualifying on Saturday, Hamilton said: “From the pace that I had today it will be a struggle to get into the top 10. It is not going to be easy, that is for sure. “We are fighting as hard as we can. It was a difficult day getting on top of the tyres. The car feels… like the car. Hopefully we can make some changes overnight. “It is impressive to see the improvements that everyone has made around us – if you look at the Alpines, and you can also see the Aston Martin is right behind the Red Bull which is impressive.” Hamilton said after May’s Miami Grand Prix that he was “counting down the days” for the upgrade he hoped would propel him back to the front. But there appears no end in sight to his 30-race losing streak. Verstappen, 39 points clear in his pursuit for a third successive title, has been in a class of one for the past 18 months and his dominance continued on Friday. A day after he made the ominous prediction that Red Bull could win all 16 remaining races this year, Verstappen finished seven tenths faster than anyone else in the opening running before returning to the top of the timesheets for the day’s final action. Alonso however, lingers with intent. His home race this weekend marks the 10th anniversary of his 32nd and last win in the sport. However, the Spaniard, 41, is enjoying a career resurgence following his transfer from Alpine to Aston Martin, finishing on the podium at five of the first six races. “Every time I have come to Barcelona I have been told it has been five years since I last won, and then seven years, and now it is 10,” said Alonso. “But it doesn’t feel that long to me. Last year we saw how much Mercedes improved during the season, and they won in Brazil with George. There will be an opportunity around the corner and we have to be there to take it.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen sets the pace again but little to cheer for Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton toils in 12th as Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominate in Spain Fernando Alonso: Hamilton can win eighth title but Verstappen can break records

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