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Hamilton "took his eye off the ball" in Spain – Hill

Lewis Hamilton "took his eye off the ball" in the Spanish Grand Prix, according to former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill.

Race winner Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference with team mate Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1

Race winner Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference with team mate Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1

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Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 Team, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates with the team
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference
Race winner Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates with the team
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 congratulates race winner and team mate Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1

Hamilton won three of the first four races of the season from pole position, but teammate Nico Rosberg ended the Briton's run with a commanding victory at Barcelona.

The reigning world champion finished in second place and saw his gap in the championship reduced to 20 points ahead of this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

Hill reckons Hamilton did not focus enough on his job ahead of the Spanish race, and the 1996 world champion reckons Hamilton's dedication will be what determines if he goes on to become one of the most successful drivers in history.

"I got the sense that Lewis slightly took his eye off the ball in Spain," Hill told the Daily Express.

"Nico went home [between races] and said, 'right, I'm not having any more of this' and focused on the next job.

"But look at the schedule Lewis indulged in between Bahrain and that race. He went to film in Italy, then went to the Mayweather fight – and jet lag is very debilitating and you cannot be on your best form.

"Even with someone with an abundance of talent like Lewis, to be absolutely at the sharp end you cannot afford to give anything away to someone like Nico.

"You should never underestimate your competitors.

"The impression Lewis gives is that he wants to enjoy his life – he has been successful and he wants to enjoy all the fruits of fame and that's great.

"But his first task is to win races, that's where everything comes from.

"What he has to do is work out what's at stake. He is on target to become one of the most successful racing drivers.

"It's whether you want to dedicate yourself to that task and play afterwards."

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