The statistic that gives Hamilton hope in 50-point F1 title chase

A 50-point deficit remains significant, especially given Mercedes' superiority during the first half of the season. However, the seven-time world champion is no stranger to reaching the summer break second in the standings before going on to lift the title at the end of the year.

That was the case, for example, in 2017, when Hamilton headed into the summer break sitting second in the championship, 14 points behind Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel after the Hungarian Grand Prix.

At that stage, Vettel had 202 points to Hamilton's 188, having just extended his advantage by winning in Budapest while the Mercedes driver finished fourth. Hamilton then transformed the title fight after the break, winning five of the next six races in Belgium, Italy, Singapore, Japan and the United States. That run allowed him to overturn the deficit and build a commanding advantage before eventually sealing his fourth championship at the Mexican Grand Prix with two races still remaining.

Another example came in 2014, when Hamilton entered the summer break second in the championship behind Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Rosberg led the standings with 202 points to Hamilton's 191, leaving the Briton 11 points adrift despite having already won five races during the first half of the season.

Hamilton immediately began closing that gap once racing resumed, although his Belgian Grand Prix ended in retirement following contact with Rosberg. He responded with a remarkable run of five consecutive victories in Italy, Singapore, Japan, Russia and the United States, turning his championship deficit into a lead over his team-mate.

The battle remained open until the final round in Abu Dhabi, where double points were awarded. Hamilton arrived with a 17-point advantage over Rosberg and secured the championship by winning the race, while a technical problem dropped his rival out of contention. The result handed Hamilton his second F1 title, seven years after his first with McLaren.

Although history suggests Hamilton still has reasons to believe a title challenge remains possible, Juan Pablo Montoya does not share the same optimism about the Briton's chances of adding another world championship to his career. The former Formula 1 driver has delivered a clear assessment of Hamilton's prospects, stating that he does not expect him to become world champion again.

However, Montoya's verdict was not entirely negative. He acknowledged that Hamilton's recent performances indicate that he is moving in the right direction, while also highlighting the progress being made by Ferrari. According to the Colombian, the team is doing an impressive job and has been particularly intelligent in the way it conducts its operations and approaches its strategies.

Montoya therefore sees positive signs in both Hamilton's performances and Ferrari's work, describing the team's current approach as encouraging to watch. Despite those improvements, however, they have not been enough to change his overall view on Hamilton's title prospects, with the Colombian remaining unconvinced that another world championship will ultimately follow.