Damon Hill believes Lewis Hamilton CAN win record eighth title in 2022

Damon Hill believes Lewis Hamilton CAN win a record eighth world title despite his dismal start to the new Formula One season as his Mercedes team battle to close the gap to Red Bull and Ferrari

  • Mercedes have fallen behind Red Bull and Ferrari under the new regulations 
  • Lewis Hamilton is already 29 points off the championship leader Charles Leclerc 
  • He is chasing a record breaking eighth title after the disappointment of 2021
  • Damon Hill believes Hamilton can still accomplish the feat in the 2022 season 

Damon Hill believes Lewis Hamilton can still win his record eighth championship this season despite Mercedes being off the pace of both Red Bull and Ferrari.

The W13 has not been in contention for victories at either of the opening two races, with reigning champion Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc both starting off the season strongly.

Hamilton finished third at the season opener in Bahrain after he benefitted from the retirements of Red Bull pair Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Damon Hill believes Lewis Hamilton can still win a record eighth title in 2022 despite a tough start to the new season which has already left him 29 points off the top of the standings

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He endured a horrid weekend in Saudi Arabia in which he failed to make it out of the first part of qualifying and could only finish the race in tenth position.

His Mercedes team are working hard behind the scenes to improve their car as quickly as possible so that they don’t fall too far behind in the title race.

Hill, who won the drivers’ championship in 1996, believes it’s too early to rule Hamilton out of winning the title despite his struggles so far.

Asked by Sky F1 if Hamilton can still become champion,  Hill replied: ‘Yes, I don’t see why not.

‘I think he’s a long shot, and the betting odds apparently are quite long so it might be worth a tipple on Lewis.

Mercedes are off the pace of Ferrari and Red Bull after struggling under the new regulations

After two races the title fight looks to be between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen

‘As I’ve said before, this is going to be a long old battle, we will not remember the first few races of this season by the time we get to halfway through, it’s going to be a slog, 23 grands prix.

‘And if you’ve got a battle going on at the front then you haven’t got a dominant team, then it is unlikely that they will get that far ahead.

‘So it’s highly likely that Mercedes could get in the mix.’

If Hamilton was to win the title in 2022, it would be his eighth championship and move him ahead of Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher.

He faces an uphill challenge with Mercedes falling behind their rivals with the new regulation changes. 

‘I think if he is frustrated, I think he’s showing very little sign of that,’ said Hill. ‘I think he shows disappointment and concern because he wants to win, but I think he’s got the comfort of seven world titles in the bank.

Damon Hill though believes Hamilton and Mercedes could still get themselves into the mix

Hamilton could overtake Michael Schumacher if he wins his eighth drivers’ title this year

‘And it’s no comfort when you come that close to making it eight [in 2021] and becoming the undisputed winningest driver of all time, so he’ll be determined as hell, but I think he’s got a calmness and maturity about him now which is very impressive to see.’

After the opening two races, he sits 29 points off current championship leader Leclerc. 

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff predicted there could be more misery at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

‘We are in a learning race and the first two weekends have shown we still have plenty to learn,’ he told Mercedes’ official website. 

‘At the moment, our track performance is not meeting our own expectations, but everyone at Brackley and Brixworth is focused on understanding the problems and finding the right solutions.

Hamilton finished on the podium in Bahrain but could only finish in tenth in Saudi Arabia

‘There won’t be a magic fix for the next race weekend, but we’re pushing to steadily bring gains over the upcoming races, to hopefully move us closer to the front of the pack.

‘Until then, we need to maximise each opportunity and make the most of the package we have.  

‘So, there are various challenges ahead of us, but that’s something we relish and is when a team really shows its true spirit.’




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