Lewis Hamilton must end his losing streak at this weekend's British Grand Prix to stop Max Verstappen from executing a championship rout.
That is the verdict of Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, as Hamilton's bid for a record-breaking eighth title faces another stern examination in front of 140,000 fans – the biggest UK crowd of the Covid-19 era – at Silverstone on Sunday.
Hamilton has excelled on home turf in recent seasons, taking the chequered flag in six of his past eight appearances.
"In the past years, we knew it was going to be a Mercedes championship and probably Lewis Hamilton's championship after just three or four races," said Jenson Button, the 2009 title winner. "But this year, he has a challenge on his hands.
"I know Lewis is behind Max in the championship but he will be fighting him later in the year and Silverstone is a circuit where Mercedes' car works well.
"Lewis is enjoying the fight with someone. He knows how talented Max is, and it is keeping him interested in Formula One and it is probably why he has just signed a new contract for two more years."
Away from Hamilton's battle with Verstappen, history will be made at Silverstone when the sport's first sprint race takes place.
The race – a third distance of a grand prix – will replace qualifying on Saturday and determine the grid for Sunday's main event. The top three will score points which will count towards the championship.
The format will be trialled at two additional rounds this year in a move F1 bosses hope will spice up the weekend action.
