Does Hamilton deserve his championship lead? "Mark of a true champion"

After a somewhat hesitant start, Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen managed to secure the championship ahead of the summer break. The team was faster than Mercedes and won one race after the other. However, after high-profile races in England and Hungary, the roles have been reversed and Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton are in the lead.

Hallmark of a true champion

On F1.com a number of journalists are asked if it is actually deserved that Hamilton is currently leading the championship. David Tremayne thinks so: "Yes, although you could say he's been luckier than in previous seasons, especially after Max's recent run of abysmal fortune. Neither Lewis nor Mercedes have given up, and even in the second-best car he has maintained an extraordinarily high level of competitiveness that is the hallmark of a true champion."

All is fair in love and war

Will Buxton agrees with his colleague: "As Kimi Raikkonen tends to say 'You get the points you deserve,' and so you can't say Lewis doesn't deserve his lead. He is no longer driving the best car, but thanks to his cunning, determination and experience he has made the most of his opportunities and is leading a championship he should be far from leading."

Mark Hughes also thinks the lead of the British current world champion is simply deserved: "Yes, all is fair in love and war. There is no 'earning' in sport, especially F1. It's warfare without the guns."