Hamilton admits race win "doesn't feel spectacular"
- Published on 30 Sep 2018 15:19
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Lewis Hamilton says that his race win in Russia doesn't feel spectacular after he was gifted the lead through team orders. Mercedes called on race leader Valtteri Bottas to let the Briton through, as it was concerned over blistering on one of Hamilton's tyres.
Hamilton took the lead and extended the gap in the championship to 50 points after Sebastian Vettel came home in third. But Hamilton didn't celebrate too much after the race, commending Bottas for the Finn's efforts over the weekend.
"It is actually quite a difficult day because Valtteri did a fantastic job all weekend and was a real gentleman to let me by,” said Hamilton. “Obviously he is now not fighting for the championship and it has been such a great weekend for the team.
“The team did such an exceptional job to have this advantage on Ferrari and have a 1-2, and usually we would be elated. But I can understand how difficult it was for Valtteri today and he deserved to win. But championship-wise, as a team, we are trying to win both championships, and I think today was a real team effort. While it doesn’t feel spectacular, I know he is going to do great in the following races to come.”
Bottas appeared dejected after the race and was told over the team radio by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff that things would be discussed afterwards. Bottas is still yet to win a race in the 2018 season and despite bringing home a one-two for the Silver Arrows, he admitted that it was a difficult race for him.
“A difficult day. Obviously a good result for us as a team. We got maximum points, but personally as everyone says, quite a difficult race. For sure we always go through all the scenarios and all the facts.
“Lewis is now fighting for the championship and we are fighting for the constructors. We always have a plan but today it is always difficult to predict what will happen in the race and how it is going to go.”
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Replies (5)
Login to replyboudy
Posts: 1,168
Yep. You got gifted the win by your team boss. An difference of 7 points that will not have any impact on the championship. They should have let bottas win it. Now they will lose pace in bottas.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Never mind Valtteri, only another 26 races left in the contract. In my view devalues the entire title race now. All the what if’s on the state of LH’s tyres etc. Poor show for the sport whenever it happens, now or in the past.
f1dave
Posts: 782
With all the grid penalties the title means nothing anyway.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
2 wins this year Bottas had taken out from under him. Not spectacular is how his title win is going to feel having been handed to him. It was a real fight for awhile but now it's just been handed to him. Understandable but sad for the sport and fans.
siggy74
Posts: 194
Should be ashamed and embarrassed to be classed a winner... some people work dam hard to be the best and others get a pass by for free.