Lewis Hamilton says he still has the mindset that he is “chasing” Nico Rosberg despite moving ahead of his Mercedes team-mate for the first time this season by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix. “I fully expected him to come back and I didn’t expect to be 43 points in front all the time”.
Advertisement
“I don’t believe I influenced the stewards’ inquiry, but I have spoken to Charlie for clarification because as I said in the press conference the next scenario when I’m in the same position, which I was, all I have to do is lose a tenth in Turn 8 and even if there is a auto facing me, all I have to do is lose a tenth”.
Rosberg started the race on pole but a better start from Hamilton saw the Briton take an early lead.
But Rosberg has not given up hope of his maiden F 1 title – despite Hamilton’s resurgence.
“The start was everything”, said Hamilton, who before this victory was tied with Michael Schumacher for most wins at the Hungaroring, with four.
“It wasn’t the case yesterday and there was no penalty, so going into the next race, we could be battling for pole position and we see double yellow flags and we know we only have to do a small lift and lose one tenth of a second and we’ll be fine and go purple in the sector”. It’s important we try and go from strength to strength.
“So I need to make sure I stay on it, like Silverstone weekends, from now on”.
In a race of few incidents, Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen provided some late drama as the eldest driver in the paddock fought the youngest for fifth place.
“I went 20km/h (12mph) slower into that corner, 20km/h is a different world in an F1 auto – you’re going proper slow. I’m disappointed because I wanted to win Hungary, not because some points are this way or that way”.
“We had the same discussion when Nico was doing really well at the end of last season, can he maintain that momentum?”
“The worst thing about this is we are an example”, Vettel said.
“I grew up watching Michael so to have a similar number, and now one more than he had here, is incredible”, said Hamilton. “Then chose a track where the penalty is not as harsh for him, that decision we haven’t made, we need to wait until after Hockenheim and then it’s going to be reassessed”.
Stewards belatedly looked into Rosberg’s qualifying lap after television images suggested he didn’t slow through a yellow flag area, though data showed the Mercedes driver did indeed lift in the disputed region, thus exonerating him.
Advertisement
“That’s how I did my speed and lifted off 30 meters before my braking point, so I was just rolling there, 20 kilometres per hour slower until I got to the apex”.
