Sports
2020.07.20 19:31 GMT+8

F1: Ferrari drivers admit that only Bottas can stop Hamilton

Updated 2020.07.20 19:31 GMT+8
CGTN

Charles Leclerc of Monaco's (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF1000 retires during the Formula One Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria, July 12, 2020. /VCG

Lewis Hamilton leads the Formula One world championship after three races, and Ferrari drivers have admitted that Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas already looks like the only man who can deny the Briton a record-equaling seventh title.

Hamilton dominated Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix from pole position, with a bonus point for fastest lap, to take a five-point lead over Bottas, the winner of the Austrian season-opener.

Asked whether they could see a scenario where Hamilton might not be champion at the end of the year, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc agreed it was unlikely.

Charles Leclerc talks during a press conference before the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary in Budapest, July 16, 2020. /VCG

"I think (only) if Valtteri wins the championship," said Vettel, himself a four-time world champion.

"I think Lewis is obviously the main contender," added Leclerc. "The only one that could probably stop him doing that is Valtteri."

Mercedes, winners of the past six drivers' and constructors' championships, have started 2020 with three wins and three poles and are 66 points clear of closest rivals Red Bull. 

Hamilton, fourth in the opener at the Red Bull Ring, has won two in a row and the next races are at his home Silverstone circuit. 

Sebastian Vettel of Germany drives the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF1000 on track during the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary in Budapest, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Ferrari, always seen as a strong and competent rival to Mercedes, had a disastrous season so far, as the team suffered a double retirement when Vettel and Leclerc collided on the first lap during the second race. 

On Sunday, Vettel finished a lap down from Hamilton, after the Mercedes overtook him in the final laps. Meanwhile Vettel's teammate Charles Leclerc failed to even get into the points, and crossed the line in 11th. 

"There was something wrong in the race, it just doesn't match with the car I had in qualifying," Leclerc complained.

"The car was extremely hard to drive on my side today," the Monegasque added. "We will be looking at the data to see what is wrong." 

(With input from agencies)

Copyright © 

RELATED STORIES