Hamilton yet to finish higher than third at famous Japanese track; Both Lewis & Nico hope Mercedes have put unreliability behind them
Tuesday 30 September 2014 12:04, UK
Lewis Hamilton has set his sights on joining the ‘greats of Formula 1’ in finally winning at Suzuka on Sunday on a weekend in which the Briton is also aiming to consolidate his newly-gained leadership of the World Championship.
Although Hamilton has enjoyed victory in Japan – at a rain-lashed Fuji in 2007 in what remains one of the most impressive wins of his career – Hamilton has a more patchy record at Suzuka since the famous figure-of-eight circuit returned to the calendar in 2009.
The Briton’s third-place finish from that ’09 campaign represents his only podium at the track many drivers consider the best in F1, with his record since showing three consecutive fifth-place finishes and then an early-race retirement last year following a first-corner clash with Sebastian Vettel.
With a Suzuka front-row start also having escaped Hamilton in his five previous attempts, the 29-year-old is determined to make the most of the fastest car in the field and join a roll of honour which is headed by multiple title winners Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen.
“I've never won at this circuit and have only made the podium once, on my first visit way back in 2009,” Hamilton reflected. “I've had a couple of chances and last season was probably the best of those.
“This year, though, we have an exceptional car and I'm really hoping I'll finally have my shot at the top step. All the greats of Formula 1 have won at Suzuka since the sport first came there in the 1980s and I'm determined to add my name to that list this weekend.”
Hamilton heads to Japan chasing a third consecutive win following his successes in Monza and Singapore, results which, combined with long-time title leader Rosberg’s retirement at the last race, have given the Briton a slender three-point championship advantage.
With Mercedes having stressed their commitment to improving their reliability record, Hamilton is hopeful his season-long duel with Rosberg is decided by driving ability alone over the final five races.
“Of course, it was disappointing for the team to have another retirement but I know they have made this a priority moving forwards,” he added.
“It's levelled things up in the Drivers' Championship, so hopefully we'll now have a straight battle right to the flag in Abu Dhabi.”
Rosberg, meanwhile, goes into a race weekend as the man on the backfoot in the points standings for just the second time in 2014 after what the German has reiterated was the most challenging day of his season at Marina Bay.
Like Hamilton, he has also expressed confidence that the Brackley outfit are doing all they can to rectify the technical gremlins intermittently striking the otherwise all-conquering W05.
“I said at the time that Sunday in Singapore was probably the toughest moment of my year so far and, looking back on it, I still think that is true,” he admitted.
“To have the chance for a top result basically taken away before you even reach the grid is hard to swallow and, of course, it was a lot of points lost in the Championship battle. I can't fault the effort of the team, though. I go to the factory and I see how hard everyone is working, so it's clear that they want the results just as much as us drivers do. I have faith in my colleagues to improve our reliability and I know they will get it right.”
Lewis Hamilton's record at Suzuka
2009: Started 3rd, Finished 3rd.
2010: Started 8th, Finished 5th.
2011: Started 3rd, Finished 5th.
2012: Started 9th, Finished 5th.
2013: Started 3rd, DNF.
The 2014 Japanese GP is live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Extensive coverage of Race Day at Suzuka begins at 5.30am on Sunday with lights out at 7am.
