Hill predicts double win Mercedes: 'There's going to be an incident'
For the French Grand Prix weekend, the differences between Red Bull Racing and Ferrari are expected to be very small. Mercedes, too, is keen to get into the fray at the Circuit Paul Ricard, which has historically suited the German team well. But will Lewis Hamilton and George Russell actually succeed? Damon Hill is sure: it will be a one-two punch.
At the F1 Nation-podcast, former Formula 1 drivers Gerhard Berger and Damon Hill are asked to predict the top three in France. While Berger expects Max Verstappen to win the race ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, Hill has a completely different scenario in mind.
Hill predicts Mercedes one-two in GP France
"I'm gonna go with Lewis Hamilton," said the Briton, who expects there could well be an incident between Verstappen and Leclerc. "We've been talking about how well they've been getting on. I think that first corner is going to be a bit tricky. Let's say Charles loses his front wing or Max gets a puncture or something like that," Hill fantasises.
The 1996 World Champion continues his story with an even more optimistic prediction. "Maybe even on pure pace, the Mercedes springs a surprise because I think in race trim, Lewis has on occasion been very quick," he continues. Hill thinks there might even be a double win for Mercedes, with Hamilton in first place, followed by Russell and Sainz.
Reacting to his former colleague's prediction, Berger wonders aloud what Hill's nationality is and whether he has maybe had one drink too many. He does not entirely agree with the Brit's prediction and points out that Verstappen and Leclerc have always given each other enough space so far, but acknowledges that things could well go wrong sometime this year.
There is no Max Verstappon issue.
Just his toxic, blinkered fan base causing trouble.
Can't we just have an old fashioned debate??
What should he change his name to?
a. Hamboy Hill, or
b. Damon Hamboy?
Só Mercedes causes incidents at the start? That’s right if it feeds your hatred for Mercedes.
There’s no incidents at the front because Redbull and max knew at the beginning that Leclerc and Sainz are no matches for max. At any moment, if the table turns then you’ll see the real Max and Redbull. Horner and Marko won’t take it easy with Ferrari
Sainz will start at the back with a new PU, that leaves only Max, Lec and Perez theoretically in front of the Mercs. Tire degradation put in place based on previous races there is actually a chance of a better result than 4th and 5th.
Well said Kappa at last someone with a brain and a grasp on reality not max robots who obviously are incredibly short sighted . Keep up the sensible side mate ?
Unless someone messes up in qualifying and puts all 4 wheels over the white lines. With the following fast lap also deleted, they wont have much chance to get another flying lap which could see a few shock exits in Q1 and Q2.
Hill being British, is just hoping that a British driver can win the race.
Furthermore, why would Hamilton be ahead of Russell? If Mercedes can come up with a car that can win races this year, it will likely be Russell that will take the first win rather than Hami as he has out-qualified Hamilton more often, plus he is 19 points ahead, mainly because of his DNF at Silverstone for stopping the car to help Zhou after the accident, otherwise the gap should be over 30+ points.
Don’t you ever doubt the potential of a driver like Hamilton who’s gone through the worst hates and been called names by even his fellow drivers at the beginning of his career but he held it. He’s been where he is not by luck but by identifying what a lot of us can’t understand. Russell ahead means nothing. But he test and gives a feedback to the team. Once the car is good, Hamilton will be ready at the front.
Perez and Sainz would be idiots in a rocket if Mercedes win a double
The Mercs will also be bullets at Paul Ricard, they have shown good pace in the last couple of races and with more bits and preces they are bringing, they will be competitive.
This means that Ferrari and Red Bull cannot rely on defenders if the two leaders go out
"Let's say Charles loses his front wing or Max gets a puncture or something like that," Hill fantasises.
What happened to winning through driving skills?
Obviously not possible on an even playing field.
Damon Hill LOL
One stupid comment after another from Hill. Is he an idiot? Unless Merc is going with Plan B (crash out competitors) I cant see how this would unfold like this.
With all these new engines , floors and developments the FIA must have doubled Mercedes 2022 operational budget !
I think Damon was in bar.
Drank 2 beers. Thinking "naah still normal".
Damon added another 2 beers. Thinking "alright, now I see clearer, ok Leclerc loses front wing, then Verstappen drives over his debris and has a puncture and then Lewis will win.....oohh wait, then there's Carlos and Checo...damn!.....hmmm I need more drink".
Damon adds another 2 beers. Thinks again "Alright, sooo hmmmm Max and Leclerc are out, Perez is leading now but sees a Shakira who is single now, on the grandstand with a sign MARRY ME CHECO. He stops the car and makes a marriage proposal. Then Sainz has charged through the pack and takes the lead, only 3 laps to go, Binotto tells him good job Calros, leading by half a lap and also you have quickest lap. Carlos starts to sing already THAAT's BECAUUUUSEE HE'S A SMOOOTH OPERAATOR......SMOOOOTH OPERAATOR....oh no Ferrari engine just blew up again. And what we have Lewis 1st and Russell 2nd!"
2 minutes go past Damon pukes and while doing this, thinks "Damn I feel I forgot somebody.....damn ofcourse - Alonso" and asks for barman for another drink and then thinks out loud "Okey concentrate Damon concentrate, okey Alonso took the lead but 1 lap down Ocon takes him out after Alonso tries to pass him on the last lap, cause he doesn't want anyone else to win with Alpine.....yep that's it Hamilton 1st and Russell 2nd."
Damon screams at barman while staggering out of bar: "I knew it, now I go tell them how it's going to be in that podcast."
Barman - "Hey Damon, you left your Hamilton cap behind"
Damon - "Its ok, I have another 50 Lewis gave me"
The Mercs may likely suffer cooling problems. It's going to be a hot one.
Tyre Deg in that heat on Euro Asphalt could make for an interesting race.
These "predictions" are generally made for fun, i've also seen will buxton& co. @ f1tv get a crack at it sometimes. But i have to say Hill definitely has a preety wild imagination :)
Reacting to his former colleague's prediction, Berger wonders aloud what Hill's nationality is and whether he has maybe had one drink too many. He does not entirely agree with the Brit's prediction and points out that Verstappen and Leclerc have always given each other enough space so far, but acknowledges that things could well go wrong sometime this year.
Very scientific approach to it all !!
the only ones who made start incidents of the 3 top teams are Mercedes!
I've watched it over and over. And while gasly was foolish for jumping in their george did drive into him and cause zhous flip. Just my take i could be wrong as i often am.
Your not wrong in my opinion
Well I would agree to certain extent, but the reality is this scenario has played out this season a few times .
Coupled with comments from Lec that max is unusually less aggressive this season, Lec will take liberties at the forst corner and Max will revert to 2022 max and what Damon , a WC, is saying is highly plausible.
But for me I don't think so, I think that the drama will be in qualifying, the least reliable cars will have major issues with cooling in we in one of the hottest weekends this season. Redbull and Ferrari have had cooling issues, not that Mercedes are immune, but this year Mercedes has been the most reliable in adverse conditions .
Lets see few more days of nonsense articles then we will have racing .
I have made the same point before as hill (for austria) and been called a troll for it...but I am just a random. internet poster
..not paid pundit..hill on the other hand is a paid l professional pundit..race pace..tyre deg...circuit type etc are what I expect to form the main pillars of his arguments ...though he may be still be proved right..I support merc...so
no problems there
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