Time flying by for ton-up Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has described as “insane” the speed at which his Formula One career has flashed by as he prepares for his 100th grand prix this weekend.

Hamilton will hit the milestone when he competes in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim tomorrow, becoming the 61st driver in the sport’s 63rd season to join the ton-up club.

Now in his sixth year in F1 following his debut in 2007, Hamilton said: “To think I’ve done 100 grands prix, it feels very unreal.

“When you’re having a good time, time flies by, and the years have gone by very quickly for me.

“This is my sixth year in Formula One and it’s insane. It feels like it’s gone quicker than my years before when I was competing in junior formulae.

“Hopefully I’ve many more races ahead of me in the future.”

Whether Hamilton can celebrate the feat with victory, as team-mate Jenson Button did in Hungary last year when he chalked up his 200th race, is difficult to interpret.

Just 13 days ago Hamilton and Button endured a wretched British Grand Prix at Silverstone where they finished eighth and 10th in their McLarens which were hopelessly off the pace.

It is hoped their problems are now behind them following a high-powered technical debrief at the team’s Woking headquarters two days later.

Not least, both cars are sporting a significant upgrade package as they look to bridge the gap on rivals Ferrari and Red Bull prior to the summer break after next weekend’s race in Hungary.

“Jenson won his 200th (race) last year, and it would definitely mean a lot to me to win my 100th,” said Hamilton.

“But I’m just looking for that next win, and whether it’s this race or the next, we’ll have to wait and see.

“I certainly feel a lot less concerned today than I did after Silverstone.

“The guys have not given up, they have kept pushing, and we’ve some upgrades this weekend I hope will put us back in the fight. It definitely will make the car better than it was.

“I really hope we’ve a chance of at least fighting for the win, and to dice with people.

“This is a great circuit where you can do that, where you can overtake and fight, I hope we’re at least in that position this weekend.”

Although trailing Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso by 37 points in the drivers’ standings, a more positive Hamilton still firmly feels he can become world champion for a second time this year.

“I definitely feel like I can do it,” said Hamilton.

“I’m constantly boosted by the team. Of course, we should have won more races this year, we should have performed much better, but we are only at the 10th grand prix.

“We still have so far to go, so many more points available. All you can ask is to never give up, and this team never does and I never do.

“Hopefully at some stage we will be rewarded for that.”