Hamilton: Unlikely Mercedes have single lap pace over Red Bull 16 July, 2021 Mercedes should be closer to Formula 1 leaders Red Bull at this weekend’s British Grand Prix but there will still be a performance gap, seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday. Hamilton is 32 points behind Red Bull’s Dutch youngster Max Verstappen after nine races and ahead of a grand prix the Briton has won a record seven times. Red Bull have won the last five races in a row, with Verstappen chasing his fourth successive victory, but Hamilton was hopeful car upgrades would give him more of a chance of fighting back.