Why Hamilton's chances for another world title remain alive in 2022

Lewis Hamilton has started the 2022 Formula 1 season with some poor results, though the Brit does have one podium to his name following good fortune in Bahrain. Whereas last year he was the big rival of Max Verstappen, in the first two races of this season he had to settle for third and tenth place. Nevertheless, Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko warned last week that the driver is not yet beaten. What gives Hamilton hope in this regard is Sebastian Vettel's past.

The German joined the Austrian racing team in 2009 and was known as a great young talent. Years later, he proved it, as he won the world title four times in a row between 2010 and 2013. Vettel did that with many convincing races, nevertheless, it was far from always rosy within Christian Horner's team.

Difficult start of 2010

During the first races in 2010, Red Bull could not convince. In the opening race in Bahrain, Vettel managed to start the season on pole position, but at the time he had to put Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and Hamilton ahead of him. His teammate Mark Webber even finished in eighth place.

Two weeks later, Vettel could prepare for revenge which took place in Australia. Once again Vettel managed to be on pole, but once again he did not end up on the podium. He even had to deal with a dropout. Nevertheless, he managed to stand with the top prize at the end of the season.

Stiffness in 2012

In 2012, when Vettel appeared on the circuit in Australia as a two-time world champion, he had a difficult start. This time, he did not yet appear to have the speed to do well in qualifying. He set the sixth time and made the task difficult for himself. Nevertheless, he managed to get the second position.

Two weeks later, in Malaysia, he tried to do better, but again he failed. Again he took sixth place in qualifying, but in the race, he had to settle for eleventh place. Vettel was very disappointed with the situation at the time. However, it gave him extra energy to continue, so that at the end of the calendar year he still won the world championship.

Complex situation at Mercedes

For the time being, Formula 1 analysts do not agree on what the remaining chances of Mercedes are. While some believe that it is still impossible to close the gap with the competition in the coming months, others argue that Red Bull and Ferrari should keep a close eye on Mercedes.

Of course, the situation at Mercedes cannot be put one-to-one next to Red Bull's past. Not only do both teams have a different DNA, but the era is also incomparable. For example, from 2010 it was suddenly no longer permitted to refuel the car, the FIA adjusted the minimum weight of the cars and the front tires had to be narrower. These were changes that could lead to a rough start, which is then similar to the current season.

Vettel's previous successes, however, will give Hamilton the confidence that after a disappointing start there is no man overboard. Mercedes must hurry in the coming weeks to further raise the level of the car and thus be able to compete with Ferrari and Red Bull. The big question is whether Toto Wolff's team is capable of doing so.