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Lewis Hamilton has batted away any suggestion he’s carrying a “curse” as the Briton waits patiently for his 100th victory in Formula One. The seven-time world champion starts from fourth on the grid in Monza, with main title rival and championship leader Max Verstappen inheriting pole position during sprint qualifying.
Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas stormed to victory during Saturday’s session, but due to engine penalties, will start at the back of the grid for Sunday’s main event.
Hamilton, however, suffered wheelspin off the line, dropping the 36-year-old behind Verstappen and the two McLarens to start fourth for the main event, with a win “highly unlikely” according to Hamilton.
When asked if his illusive 100th win could be “cursed,” Hamilton was quick to dismiss any suggestion.
“I don’t believe in curses,” said Hamilton on Saturday. “[On Sunday] it’s highly unlikely, but not impossible, that we can get the win. We will be working as hard as [we] can to try it.
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“Having too much wheelspin happens, to be honest, and that bit us hard, but we still have everything to play [for].”
Meanwhile, it was a lights to flag victory for the departing Bottas, with Wolff praising Mercedes’ second driver.
“Valtteri just had an unbelievable getaway and drove away into the sunset,” Wolff added.
“[It was] one of the most dominant ways of winning a race, irrespective of whether it was a Sprint race or not – it was a real masterclass from Valtteri.”
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