Lewis Hamilton hopeful of first victory for Mercedes following run of bad luck

Three pole positions have gone unconverted

Ian Parkes
Tuesday 09 July 2013 11:31 BST
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Lewis Hamilton went fastest in first practice but fell away later
Lewis Hamilton went fastest in first practice but fell away later (Getty Images)

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Lewis Hamilton is wondering when his winless streak will finally come to an end as he believes he is right out of luck at present.

Hamilton has secured three pole positions this season since joining Mercedes, but not one has yet been converted into a victory.

Starting from the front of the grid in the last two grands prix at Silverstone and in Germany on Sunday, tyre woes have seen Hamilton finish fourth on home soil and fifth at the Nurburgring.

The 28-year-old was a victim of Pirelli's exploding rubber during the British Grand Prix at a time when he was leading the race.

A week later, Mercedes' old degradation woes when temperatures are high returned to haunt them.

A frustrated Hamilton said: "It's crazy the one opportunity I had to win the tyre blew up.

"Who knows when the next opportunity will come? But I'll just keep pushing.

"It would obviously be good to get a win, but at the moment it really doesn't feel like it's going to happen. Luck is definitely not with me.

"But I'll keep working hard, keep trying to qualify myself nice and high up to give myself the best opportunity. At some stage it's got to come."

At one stage Hamilton was out-qualified by team-mate Nico Rosberg for three successive races, with the German on pole on each occasion.

Hamilton has since turned the tables, but takes little solace from that, adding: "I don't feel like it's a boost or anything like that.

"Having the edge on him, everyone expects that, but it doesn't make any difference to me at the moment, especially as I'm not getting the most out of the car.

"When I do, then it will be a lot easier."

At least Hamilton's tyre problem on Sunday did not compare to that of Red Bull's Mark Webber, the Australian losing his right-rear wheel as he pulled away from his opening pit stop.

Unfortunately, the wheel hit Formula One Management cameraman Paul Allen, who sustained two broken ribs and a broken collarbone.

The incident has resulted in F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone deciding from the next race in Hungary onwards all camera crews will now be stationed on the pit wall.

At present, current rules allow up to a maximum of six FOM camera crews only unlimited pitlane access during qualifying and the race.

In addition, six photographers are allowed to take photographs from the pit wall, but they will now be joined by the camera operators.

"I've been in close contact with everybody who has been dealing with the matter," said Ecclestone.

"It's a terrible thing to say, but it was just one of those things.

"There was a whole bunch of mechanics and the tyre could have hit any one of those guys.

"The cameraman just happened to be looking the wrong way at the wrong time.

"In future, all our camera crews will only be allowed to film from the pit wall."

PA

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