Lewis Hamilton faces reality of F1 title chase after Spa success

The seven-time world champion, aged 39, secured a win at Spa-Francorchamps after initially inheriting the victory from his teammate George Russell. This marked his second triumph in just three races, ending a 31-month winless streak that dated back to December 2021.

Hamilton's recent performances have been impressive, earning him 65 points over the past three races, the highest tally among all drivers in that period. Despite this, Mercedes' sluggish start to the season means Hamilton is still 127 points adrift of Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings.

In the constructors' championship, Mercedes trail Red Bull by 142 points and sit 100 points behind McLaren, who are in second place.

When asked if Mercedes could realistically challenge for titles this season, Hamilton was candid about the situation. "No. It would be high hopes," he admitted to the media.

"But if we can continue the kind of performance we've had in the last few races, which has been fantastic, and start our weekends off a bit better, there's a chance."

Despite being stripped of a potential one-two finish at Spa, there were significant positives for Mercedes. Friday's practice sessions had been particularly challenging for the W15, with the team struggling to get on top of the new upgrades they had brought to Belgium. This led to the team reverting to their previous configuration for the rest of the weekend.

Hamilton noted a stark contrast between the car's performance on Friday and Sunday. "It was literally night and day," Hamilton said, reflecting on the car's transformation.

"On Friday, it was pretty disastrous for both of us; we were really struggling with balance. But on Sunday, the car came alive.

"I was really surprised to first get into the lead and then start pulling away from everyone. It felt fully under control, and I haven't had that for years."

As the Formula 1 season heads into its summer break, resuming on Friday, 23 August, Hamilton and Mercedes will have time to reflect and refine their strategies. The team's ability to build on their recent form could be crucial in their bid to close the gap in both the drivers' and constructors' championships.