Hamilton looks for repeat Monza win

Mercedes driver in pursuit of world title dream.

MONZA: Lewis Hamilton returns to Monza this weekend aiming to repeat his convincing display last year when he took pole position and then won the Italian Grand Prix.

Boosted by news that his Mercedes team will be running with a revised version of the low-downforce package they ran in Belgium, he knows he has to deliver a strong result to keep his distant title hopes alive.

The 28-year-old Briton may trail leader and defending triple world champion German Sebastian Vettel in this year’s title race, but his speed and form has kept alive his belief that he can mount a late challenge.

Mercedes team chief Ross Brawn revealed after Belgium that the outfit had been slightly baffled as to why its pace was lacking.

“I don’t think we quite got the car right,” he said. “We were there or thereabouts but it didn’t feel quite as sharp as we have had the last few races.

“So we have a few changes for Monza and we hope this time we get it right.”

Monza, of course, is one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, but also one of the most challenging for passing moves. Of the last 13 races, 10 have been won by the driver on pole.

“This track brings back great memories for me, mainly from my first win there in 2008, with Toro Rosso,” admitted Vettel. “I can’t describe the feeling of standing on the top of the podium for the first time.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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