It’s probably one of the most monumental shifts in Formula One Championship history.
Following Nico Rosberg’s victory at the Russian Grand Prix, his seventh victory in succession over the course of the final few races of 2015 and the opening races of 2016, Rosberg held a 43 point lead over Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
After the two collided on the opening lap of the Spanish Grand Prix, that lead remained the same.
But over the following 7 Grand Prix, that 43 point lead for Rosberg has turned into a 19 point deficit.
Hamilton has won 6 of the last 7 races, he now sits on 49 career wins, just 2 shy of four-time Formula One World Champion Alain Prost, the second most winningest driver in the sports history.
And who would bet against Hamilton not only beating that record, but claiming his own fourth Formula One title in the process?
But this is forgetting the elephant in the room.
Hamilton’s engine situation means he is going to have to take at least one severe penalty before the end of the season, a penalty which is likely to see him start one race from the back of the grid.
He’s been trying to nurse his current engine as far as it can go to save him from having further penalties further down the line.
Speaking to formula1.com, Hamilton said: ‘I saved my engine a lot which is why they [Red Bull] closed up as much as they did. I only needed a six second gap really, they wanted me to keep six seconds. It went from eleven to seven quite quickly and then I had to get back on it, but generally I was looking after the engine up front and never felt like I was under threat.
‘I feel like l am closer to leading it [the championship], We do have a penalty up ahead, this engine has done amazing to get to where we are and I’m super grateful for the life it has led and the laps we’ve led with it. It’s as good a buffer as I could get with the circumstances.’ Hamilton told Sky Sports.
Hamilton pleased with buffer in championship race
