Second half of the season: These F1 legends are keeping their fingers crossed for Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has fulfilled his long-awaited dream of a Grand Prix victory in red this season: in Barcelona, the seven-time world champion crossed the finish line first on race day for the first time – and was enthusiastically celebrated for it. It was already the former serial winner’s fourth Grand Prix podium finish this year, and before the summer break he stood on the podium once more, finishing third at Silverstone.

The 106-time Grand Prix winner is currently the closest challenger to World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli; 50 points separate him from the Mercedes talent, whilst he holds a nine-point lead over Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell, who currently occupies third place.

The Tifosi are delighted with the Briton’s strong form, on whom they are pinning their hopes for the first Drivers’ Championship title since Kimi Räikkönen’s triumph in 2007. And alongside them, two Grand Prix legends are also keeping their fingers crossed for the record-holding Grand Prix winner. Emerson Fittipaldi told “Formula1.com”: “I really hope Lewis will be in the running for the title; it would be great if he and Ferrari could step up their game to give Mercedes a run for their money.”

Thierry Boutsen: Ferrari deserves success

The 1972 and 1974 world champion is also delighted for team principal Fred Vasseur, as he explains. “I have great respect for Fred Vasseur. When I was the owner of the Brazilian A1 team, Fred managed our team with his ART GP squad and did a brilliant job. He’s a good bloke, a top chap. I think he knows the Italians well by now, so things should go well for him in the second half of the season,” explains the 79-year-old Brazilian.

Three-time Grand Prix winner Thierry Boutsen is also hoping for a strong second half of the season from the Scuderia: “I’d love to see Ferrari back at the front on a regular basis,” says the 69-year-old Belgian. “I think they deserve it, because they’ve fought very hard to get into this good form. And I’d be delighted if Charles Leclerc could celebrate a few race wins. He’s from Monaco, and I live in Monaco too, so I’m a Tifosi for him. But what I want to see above all is good racing – good, safe racing that’s fun.”

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