P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Hamilton has now gone two seasons without victory and his quest for an eight-title is seemingly getting harder. So is he now reaching a last-chance saloon?
Lewis Hamilton’s hunger for an eighth F1 World Championship with Mercedes remains strong, despite the team’s recent struggles. Despite narrowly missing out on the record in 2021, Hamilton’s form was exceptional, outperforming his machinery and finishing third in the standings. However, Mercedes still faces a gap to Red Bull, and the budget cap limits their ability to make significant gains. The upcoming regulation change for 2026 could further challenge Hamilton’s title aspirations, depending on how teams allocate their resources between the current and following seasons. While there are obstacles ahead, Hamilton’s talent and determination cannot be underestimated.