Hamilton on his 300th Grand Prix: “I didn’t even know it”

There are only five to have achieved it so far – almost six – and yet this famous mark of 300 Grands Prix does not seem to dull it. On the contrary. The Briton, who will nevertheless go a little further into the History of F1 this weekend, sets about preparing for this French GP in the calm and serenity that we know, building on the progress made in recent weeks by Mercedes and his three consecutive podiums.

« An exceptional driver, a legend of our sport »

"I didn't even know it, confides laconically Lewis Hamilton when asked about this at a press conference. It doesn't change much, I just feel good. »

If the Briton seemed to pay little attention to this new stage in his career, Fernando Alonso, also present at the press conference, was responsible for reminding us what an exceptional driver Hamilton is. The Spaniard, without mentioning his personal case (he too has passed the 300 Grands Prix mark in his career), even seems to see the Briton breaking the curse of the tercentenarians, by winning a Grand Prix again in the future.

"I don't think he's changed much since then, he's always been talented, confides the Iberian. He still is, and now he has experience, he is an exceptional driver, a legend of our sport. It's precious to share these moments with him.

At the time, no one would have imagined that he would be capable of winning 7 world championship titles, like Michael [Schumacher]. The journey has been incredible, the team they have built with Mercedes over all these years is exceptional. Congratulations on the 300 [Grand Prix], I'm sure he will win soon. »

Le Castellet, fertile land for Mercedes

On the track, although Mercedes is not yet quite able to fight for victory, the German team is making constant progress in each race. Improvements that are all the more significant as Castellet has always worked well with Lewis Hamilton and his car, already twice winner here in three participations and always present on the podium.

“Every weekend we get better, notes the Briton. I don't really know what to expect this weekend, we're trying to innovate, change some things on the car. I hope we discover something more this weekend, but overall it has always been a good Grand Prix for us. I hope that will still be the case.

I fight for victory every time. I just hope that at some point we will be able to fight against the others. But I don't really think about it, what's important is the journey so far. We haven't started where we would have liked to be, but we continue to progress. We are very consistent, and in the team, no one intends to give up. We have to keep pushing, I'm very proud of how we're doing it. When we are in the place we want to be, we will appreciate it even more. »

Mercedes' consistency is impressive, it's true. After George Russell's nine consecutive top 5 finishes, here is Lewis Hamilton on the podium three times (Canada, Great Britain and Austria). What will give wings to the Flèches d’Argent this weekend at Le Castellet?