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Hamilton endures "very difficult" race under the floodlights

Published on 16 Apr 2017 19:08
3
By: Alex Griffin

Lewis Hamilton was disappointed that he was unable to take a third victory at the Bahrain International Circuit as Sebastian Vettel crossed the line first under the lights in Sakhir.

A tricky start for Hamilton saw him slip behind the German and it went from bad to worse as he was handed a five-place grid penalty for purposely holding up Daniel Ricciardo on entry to the pit lane. The British driver admitted that he was at fault on the podium.

"Yeah [it was my fault], definitely but firstly congratulations to Sebastian, he did a fantastic job today.

Hamilton had a significant pace advantage over team-mate Valtteri Bottas and the Finn moved over to allow a fast Hamilton through: "Also a big thank you to Valtteri for being a gentleman out there" Hamilton told David Coulthard on the podium.

A difficult first part of the race meant Hamilton had to hunt down Vettel after strapping on the soft tyres but in the end a 19-second gap proved just too much: "A very difficult race. It didn't start out the best but yeah the pit lane was really my fault and apologies to the team for losing the time there. I tried my hardest to catch up but it was a long, long way to go.

"Of course the disappointment is there and as I said losing points for a team is definitely painful but it is what it is. I gave it everything I could," Hamilton remarked in reference to the disappointment of coming second to the Ferrari for the second time in three races.

Alex Griffinen

Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,172

How quickly he forgot that if wasn't going to catch Vettel he would give the place back. Bottas was within his rights to keep Hamilton behind and make him fight for the 2nd step. Sounds like Mercedes has already determined who their number 1 driver is despite Toto's claim to the contrary.

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Apr 16 2017 - 21:45

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

Replies (3)

Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,172
How quickly he forgot that if wasn't going to catch Vettel he would give the place back. Bottas was within his rights to keep Hamilton behind and make him fight for the 2nd step. Sounds like Mercedes has already determined who their number 1 driver is despite Toto's claim to the contrary.
- + 1
- Apr 16 2017 - 21:45
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Hamilton had a difficult race? Second, a difficult race? Meanwhile, his team mate Bottas had pole, yet Ham-Ham got prioritized, and he had a bad race? Is it the salt from too much League of Legends, or do I have a good reason to find that statement a bit arrogant?
- + 0
- Apr 17 2017 - 08:33
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Turd sh!t got mauled by Vettel. This P.O.S wouldn't have even had a chance to get past Bottas if his tyres pressures weren't ruined at the start, plus his setup just didnt work even in 2nd and 3rd stints with overheating rears. Vettel doesn't need the fastest car to win, if he did the rest can throw in the towel right now and go home, it is a no contest.
- + 0
- Apr 17 2017 - 15:54