Subscribe
Follow Us
Currently sitting in second place this season behind Max Verstappen with 138 points, three wins, and six podiums, Lewis Hamilton could be in over his head if doesn't come out ahead of Verstappen at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix. As arguably the greatest driver of all-time, Hamilton's historic run is in jeopardy if he doesn't pull off a big win.
Given that Hamilton is already 18 points behind, not making podium or failing to finish ahead of Verstappen would derail any chance of him earning his record-breaking eighth F1 championship. With history and the F1 title at stake, let's take a look at the major factors behind why Lewis Hamilton will be toast if he does not beat Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix tomorrow.
Hamilton failed to qualify for a top three spot
Already having failed to nab a top three spot in the F1 qualifying during his dry session, Hamilton will definitely have his work cut for him in tomorrow's race. Given that Verstappen's already got a leg up on him with the top spot in qualifying, the last thing Hamilton wants to do is lose to him at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Especially if he fails to make podium and takes a pitfall into his already steep deficit to Verstappen in the overall standings, the widening gap in the middle part of the season could spell doom for the Mercedes star. In spite of his recent shortcomings, Hamilton has previously been put in tough situations like this and knows what it takes to win a world title. If there's anybody that can dig themselves out of an ugly situation, then it's definitely seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. Having said all this, anything less than a top three finish in this race or not finishing ahead of Max Verstappen could doom his season.
Article Continues Below
Team Red Bull already has an edge over team Mercedes
As of this moment, two of the top three drivers in the F1 standings are with team Red Bull, and with that comes a more cohesive unit on the race track. This puts Lewis Hamilton in a funny spot because he currently is second overall and is sitting right between the two stars of Red Bull racing in the current standings.
Given that his current teammate Valtteri Bottas is on the verge of being replaced by up-and-coming Mercedes driver George Russell, there could be some turmoil on the rise. Hamilton is the type of superstar that can make the most with what he's got, and he has all the previous accolades to prove it. However, if Hamilton is unable to get strong enough support from long-time teammate Bottas during tomorrow's race, he may wind up getting outlasted by all of Red Bull racing and Bottas will definitely be replaced.
Not to mention fellow Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is sitting pretty at third place in the overall standings and it hasn't been ruled out that he could be on the podium with teammate Max Verstappen tomorrow. With Bottas' declining performance and big changes on the horizon for Mercedes, the pressure is now on for Hamilton to pull out a big win at the Austrian Grand Prix and overtake Verstappen in the standings.
Otherwise team Red Bull will once again steal the show and take another podium that could draw the line in the sand for Lewis Hamilton and team Mercedes. Which makes this race even more crucial because if Hamilton cannot beat Verstappen and earn a place on the podium tomorrow, then his hopes of winning another title for Mercedes this season could be tarnished.
