Hamilton: 'Awesome' to see Honda in front-running fight

  • Published on 22 Mar 2019 10:43
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Five-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says that it is "awesome" to see Honda fighting towards the front of the grid in 2019.

The Japanese manufacturer is powering Red Bull this season, and secured its first podium of the turbo hybrid era last time out in Australia, as Max Verstappen crossed the line in third place.

Hamilton, who was being chased by the Dutchman in the latter stages of the event, is happy to see Honda succeed after a number of painful years with McLaren.

"It's great to see the improvement that it’s had for the team," said Hamilton.

“Obviously they [Red Bull] were with Renault for such a long time, and obviously they were able to pass a Ferrari. I think it's awesome.

“The Red Bulls are there with us, and I think we're going to have a really, really good battle through the year, I think, between the three of us.

“I'm sure Ferrari, something's not been right [at the] weekend, but I'm pretty sure their car is still good. So, I think it's going to be a really interesting season."

Hamilton added that Honda reminds him of his hero Ayrton Senna, who was powered by Honda engines during his successful years at McLaren in the late 80s and early 90s.  

“And I think for Honda, I remember growing up watching Ayrton [Senna] drive with the Honda, and they were a formidable force back then, and it's great to see them up there."

Hamilton also expressed his surprise in one of the Renault engines failing, as Carlos Sainz pulled to the side of the track not long after the start of the race.

“It's definitely a surprise to see one of the Renault engines up in flames but I hope that their reliability maintains, so we can keep the close battle through the year.”

Careful, you could get into trouble with a comment like that! ;)

  • 1
  • Mar 22 2019 - 16:15

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • There should have been something else in that RB15 reminding him of Senna as well, but earlier hints that he could have had, happened behind him in the Brazil 2016 race, when a teenager became the class of the field twice and set the fastest lap of the race in the pouring rain.

    • + 0
    • Mar 22 2019 - 11:26
    • Careful, you could get into trouble with a comment like that! ;)

      • + 1
      • Mar 22 2019 - 16:15
  • “The Red Bulls are there with us" Hammy said. “It's definitely a surprise to see one of the Renault engines up in flames but I hope that their reliability maintains, so we can keep the close battle through the year.” Hammy said. And then, knowing RBH was most likely in a no man's land behind them and Ferrari while Renault teams were stuck in the midfield, he laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

    • + 0
    • Mar 22 2019 - 17:08
  • Is it the crap questions out to Lewis, or does he have a habit now of trotting out bollocks speak - such a rubbish, cringey story. I kinda liked it when he was tripping over in political incorrectness more !

    • + 0
    • Mar 23 2019 - 08:57

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 02:50

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 02:50

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,386
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 210
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

  • comments 128,894 comments on Honda
  • star 9 members have this team as their favourite
  • vote Tweets about Honda
Show full profile
show sidebar