Button delivers verdict of Hamilton and Russell ending season winless

Lewis Hamilton discusses his experience with race in Formula 1

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Jenson Button fears Mercedes may have missed their opportunity to get a race win this season following the Mexico Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton appeared on course to get off the mark last weekend but had to settle for second as world champion Max Verstappen powered past him to claim victory.

Hamilton has won at least one race in every season he has competed in F1 since 2007 but this has been a disappointing campaign with the Brit down in fifth in the standings with two races to go. Teammate George Russell is ahead of him in fourth but like Hamilton, his best performance was a second-placed finish, back in September in Netherlands.

Mercedes have two races remaining to get their first victory in Brazil and Abu Dhabi but former world champion Button admits their best hope of doing so came last weekend in Mexico. “I think this was a great circuit for them to challenge in Mexico and they did, they were so close to getting pole,” he told Sky Sports.

“Lewis obviously had his issue, George made a bit of a mistake coming into the stadium section in his last run. Getting one over on Red Bull in qualifying would have been a nice step – especially if both of them were able to do that and then they could have had a very different race.

“Mercedes doesn’t have the straight-line speed, whether it’s engine power or the efficiency of the way they have designed their car. I think Abu Dhabi, in terms of the circuit and the mechanical grip you need, they do have that in the car.

“It is going to be tricky for them to fight for victory. Smoother circuits are best for them. There is hope but Mexico was probably their best chance. They will definitely be in the mix for the next couple.”

Hamilton meanwhile remains confident he can pick up a win before the season comes to an end and remained upbeat following his performance in Mexico City. “I’m really happy to be up here, and to be able to split the Red Bulls, I think, is a huge result for us,” he declared.

“[We] brought an upgrade into the last race and that seems to have kind of closed the gap a little bit – they still have the edge, I think – but I don’t know, I think it was amazing for us to be fighting in qualifying and have the second and third.

“I am grateful I was able to just about keep up within that first stint. That’s huge, to be able to keep up with a Red Bull.”

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