Hamilton Looking To Build On 'Confidence Boost' From China After Slow 2024 Start
F1Saturday, 27 April 2024 at 00:00
Lewis Hamilton's start to the 2024 Formula One season wasn't ideal, but he turned that around at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix.
The 39-year-old started the 2024 F1 season on the back foot, at least compared to his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, who has collected 24 points in the first four races of the season, compared to Hamilton's 10.
However, that changed at the Shanghai International Circuit when the older British driver used tricky wet conditions in the Sprint Shootout to his advantage and qualified second for the Sprint race on Saturday.
He then used his experience to outsmart Lando Norris into Turn 1 during the Spring, and even though Max Verstappen was faster than him, the seven-time World Champion still finished second in the Sprint race.
Reflecting on the Sprint, Hamilton admitted that it was a real confidence booster for him, especially when he started from the front row, not seeing any cars in front of him, a sight he hasn't been used to in recent seasons.
"To be on the front row, I don't remember having the view for a long time, or it feels like a really long time, I don't know if we've had it in the last couple of years. To be able to fight into Turn 1 for the lead was just reminding me of why I love what I do and what we do."
For Hamilton, finishing on the podium again, even though only in the Sprint, really helped his confidence, and even though conditions helped him, it was his skilful drive that got him to fight for the podium positions.
"Anytime you have a good result, it is always a confidence boost, that is the way of life. You have a good day and it lifts your spirits for sure, the circumstances were special with the rain [in sprint qualifying], but obviously I had to do the job and put that lap in."
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