QUESTION: Before the 12th Grand Prix of the year out of 22 in France on Sunday, you still haven't won, a first since 2011. Did you expect that?
ANSWER: "We always knew that one day it would be more complicated. We had eight years of great success, we pushed the limits like never before in any sport, winning the world championship eight times in a row. But we have always been prepared that one day we will face difficulties, and now we are in this situation”.
Q: Did you go wrong with your singular aerodynamic solution?
A: "Yes. In Formula 1, the clock never lies and today it says that we are not fast. That's how it was, we crashed mechanically, we crashed aerodynamically, is never one thing, it is a combination".
Q: Can you still win races this year?
A: "Before testing at the Paul Ricard circuit, I would have said yes. Today, we wonder why we are one second behind Max Verstappen, 6/10ths behind Ferrari, it's far to be able to dream of winning races (interview carried out before qualifying on Saturday, editor's note)".
Briton Lewis Hamilton, during the 3rd practice session of the Formula 1 French Grand Prix, July 23, 2022 on the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet Sylvain THOMAS AFP
Q: Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is bound to be frustrated.
But he seems to remain professional.
Does this surprise you?
A: "It doesn't surprise me, even more his professionalism in the analysis of data, sessions, it's clear, lucid, transparent, calm. It's impressive, even for a seven-time world champion".
Q: Internally does he show signs of nervousness?
Briton Lewis Hamilton in the pits during the first practice session for the Formula 1 French Grand Prix on July 22, 2022 on the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet Sylvain THOMAS AFP
A: "None. On the contrary, the more difficult it is, the calmer it is".
Q: Will he leave F1 if he doesn't win this season?
A: "No, he loves what he does, talking about development, helping the team. I don't see him leaving F1 any time soon."
Q: Is the title permanently lost?
If so, who do you hope to see crowned, Verstappen or Leclerc?
A: "Yes, it's over for the title. It would be good for the sport if Leclerc could continue to play for the championship until the end. Charles is an exceptional driver, a great personality, he deserves to win. I don't know not if it is of any use to him but if I could choose it would be him".
Q: So are you already looking towards 2023?
A: "The regulations don't change next year, so first we have to understand what works and what doesn't on our car before we get on next year's car. This season is a test scale and for the moment we do not yet have the necessary conclusions to decide on a development trajectory for next year".
Q: The rules will change, however, to avoid this single-seater bounce problem, which affects you a lot.
Could this tip the scales in your favor?
A: "You have to respect the regulations. There is a certain abuse of the regulation of the flat bottom and therefore that will change for Spa (end of August, technical innovations brought by the FIA, editor's note) and there will be another stage the year next".
Q: Is this a request from Mercedes?
A: "Naturally, but there is lobbying from them too (Red Bull and Ferrari, editor's note). The FIA would not introduce regulations on the basis of driver safety if there was no problem The cars touch the flat bottom on a lot of circuits and that hurts the drivers, so you have to protect them and increase the height of the car. Afterwards, the teams in front don't want to change the regulations, and they ignore a what the pilots say".
Q: You explained that seeing Red Bull and Ferrari too strong distorted the championship.
Isn't it paradoxical for a team that has crushed everything in recent years?
A: "Yes it's a bit absurd in this context. But that's not what I meant. I said that I think it lacks crunch this year".
Q: Do you want a battle like last year between Hamilton and Verstappen?
A: "Yeah, it was all for the show, with twists and turns, it was brawling hard, and I hope the brawling will get more intense for all the fans this year."
Dutchman Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last of the season ahead of Briton Lewis Hamilton, on September 12, 2021 at the Yas Marina circuit, and his 1st world title became the first Dutchman ever to win the Formula One world championship title when he won a dramatic season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit on December 12, 2021. The Red Bull driver won his 10th race of the season to finish ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
FIA Formula One World Champion 2021 Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen crosses the finish line at the Yas Marina Circuit during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix on December 12, 2021. KAMRAN JEBREILI POOL/AFP/Archives
Q: Did you digest the incredible outcome of the 2021 season during the last lap of the last Grand Prix?
A: "We must digest certainly, forget, never".
Interview by Olivier LEVRAULT
© 2022 AFP