Hamilton still torn on result
– Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton (above) said yesterday he still had mixed feelings after being gift-wrapped a controversial win by Mercedes in Russia last weekend.
The runaway championship leader stretched his advantage to Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to 50 points with just five races left this season after Mercedes ordered Valtteri Bottas to allow Hamilton to pass, sacrificing a rare victory for the Finn.
“I don’t think you get your mind around it,” said Hamilton.
“I am definitely split, just like all people have split opinions about it,” added the Briton.
“But it’s happened, it’s done and dusted. You have to accept it and move forward.”
The decision by Mercedes to allow Hamilton to claim his eighth win of the season sparked fresh debate over team orders in Formula One.
Vettel called the move a “no-brainer” after finishing third in Sochi but Hamilton’s 70th Formula One victory left Mercedes squirming with embarrassment.
After the race, Hamilton described it as “the strangest day” of his career and he was clearly still torn after arriving in Japan.
“But collectively as a team we’ve stayed quite united through the whole experience,” he said.
Bottas was left fuming in Russia but the Finn was in a more charitable mood yesterday.
“I just need to accept it now that I’m in this situation because of everything that has happened earlier in the season,” he said.
“I cannot fight for the championship anymore, Lewis is. I’m a team player and willing to help.”
Bottas insisted he would not have to wait for Hamilton to wrap up his fifth Formula One title before being allowed to take the chequered flag.
“I’m definitively still allowed to win but it will all depend on the situation,” he shrugged.
“I feel like a winner. Honestly I think last weekend, if Lewis didn’t have the (tyre) blister, if he didn’t have that much pressure from Sebastian, the team would have not done it.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said he was “happy to be the baddie” in order to strengthen Hamilton’s grip on the world championship. – AFP
I am definitely split, just like all people have split opinions about it. Lewis Hamilton F1 world champion