The Lewis Hamilton record in jeopardy

There's something just a little bit crazy about Lewis Hamilton's 15 seasons and counting in Formula 1.

Lewis Hamilton has won at least one Formula 1 race during every season he has raced in. Will that continue in 2022?

It’s been 15 full seasons since Lewis Hamilton made his sensational Formula 1 debut, with McLaren in 2007.

Since then, he has won at least one race in all 15 seasons. Not Senna, Prost, or Schumacher can make that claim.

But it remains to be seen whether Hamilton can keep the record alive in 2022.

Mercedes has not yet broken into front-running territory.

Hamilton has also lagged behind his new teammate, George Russell - finishing behind him in every race this year except the Bahrain season opener.

Hamilton sits 6th in the championship.

Interestingly, he has never finished a championship this low.

In his 15 seasons, Hamilton’s lowest championship finish is 5th - which happened in both 2009 and 2011.

But, it was actually 2013 when he was closest to losing his winning streak.

Hamilton took to the top step of the podium just once that year, in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

But so far, this year is going even worse.

Hamilton has taken just one podium, in the season opener. His new teammate, George Russell, has been the stronger of the Mercedes pair.

Russell has finished in the top five of every race and also has three podiums to boast of, in Australia, Spain and Baku.

Despite this, Hamilton thinks a win during 2022 remains achievable.

“I'm hoping by Silverstone that we have the car where we need it, at least by then, to be able to fight these guys for the win,” Hamilton reportedly told The Express just ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Express is a British tabloid newspaper based in London. Hamilton’s comments were picked up by several other Formula 1 outlets, including WTF1 and Planet F1.

The British Grand Prix is not far away now. It is due to be held on July 3 - a fortnight after this weekend’s coming Canadian Grand Prix.

Britain’s Silverstone track should suit the 2022 Mercedes car, which has tended to suit higher speed tracks with high speed corners.

But Mercedes attracted attention in Azerbaijan for their aggressive bouncing, something that also might hold them back at their home track. Still, Hamilton was more optimistic when he spoke to The Express.

“I know everyone back at the factory is working as hard as they can to continue to make advances with the car,” Hamilton said.

“I have no doubts that we will.”